THE Port of Cromarty Firth (PCF) has become the first in Scotland to apply for permits under updated regulations to allow it to carry out decommissioning projects.

The Highland port has lodged two applications to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as part of their final preparations to attract these projects to the area along with associated jobs.

It has submitted applications under the Pollution Prevention Control (PPC) Regulations — which were updated in 2012 to give the highest level of environmental protection — and the Radioactive Substances Act.

PCF hopes the permits will be in place and it can start welcoming decommissioning projects to the port by September.

Investment in a new quayside at the PCF’s Invergordon service base means the port has three berths and 80,000 square metres of laydown space ready to accept decommissioning projects from September.

General manager Captain Calum Slater said: “The port is ideally located in the North Sea. We are already in discussions with customers who have structures to decommission and I can see the first of the new era coming to the firth next year.”

“Other ports are aligning to a single contractor, but we’re doing the opposite to provide customers more flexibility and choice. “Our open port philosophy will allow any reputable client, operator or contractor to use the port’s decommissioning licence.”