As one of Scotland’s most sheltered natural deep-water ports, the Port of Inverness can offer ships almost guaranteed access irrespective of the weather. The Port is recognised as one of the major economic hubs of the Highlands providing an essential gateway for companies to both export and import a wide variety of goods. The Port is also at the heart of the recently announced Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport initiative that further underlines its importance to the Highland economy. The Green Freeport will play an important role in not only Scotland’s, but the UK’s transition toward becoming a net zero economy as well as improving wider energy security. Through a range of measures, it will encourage companies and developers to become involved with opportunities in both the offshore and onshore renewable energy industries.
Lying close to the city centre, the Port has excellent communications links not only with the city, but the surrounding wider region and UK with Inverness Airport approximately 11 miles to the east. Recent infrastructure developments have made the port one of the most modern in the north with excellent covered storage and laydown facilities. The Port has 6 commercial quays that can accommodate a variety of vessels.
The Port’s Mission Statement is for it to “be a progressive, vibrant driver of sustainable growth for Inverness and the Highlands” and over the last 10-years the Port has been at the heart of the onshore renewable energy industry in the Highlands with over 350 wind turbines imported. With the drive toward larger components, the Port can accommodate extra-long loads in excess of 70m in length. Easy access to the A9 for both north and south bound traffic and the surrounding hinterland is also a considerable advantage.
Trading with the rest of the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, the Baltics, the European Union and further afield, the port handles a wide range of cargoes including packaged timber, round logs, Sterling Board, oil/gas, woodchips, road salt, wood pellets, agricultural bulk cargoes as well as one off project cargoes. There is also a dedicated heavy lift facility that can accommodate loads of over 200t. Furthermore, there is a dedicated berth for cruise ships and recently the Port has been used as a turnaround location for cruise ships. Tourist attractions are also in close proximity, with Loch Ness and Culloden Battlefield lying less than 30-minutes from the Port.