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Harper Macleod is delighted to have advised Ardersier Port (Scotland) Limited on the purchase of the former McDermotts fabrication yard in Ardersier.
The move will see the new owners, a privately owned business registered in Scotland owned by Steve Regan and Tony O’Sullivan, transform the site into a multi-disciplinary facility with the purpose of supporting the United Kingdom’s Energy Transition plans.
Chris Kerr, a corporate specialist and Head of the largest legal team in the Highlands and Islands at Harper Macleod, advised on the deal along with fellow colleagues Peter McLuckie, Ross Thomson, Michael Conroy and Peter Ferguson.
Chris said: “We are delighted to have helped Steve and Tony complete this acquisition, which could be transformational for the area and a hugely important part of supporting the country’s green transition as well as ensuring decommissioning work can stay within Scotland and the UK.”
The Ardersier Port site is the largest brownfield port in the United Kingdom, including 400 acres of port area with access to a 2.2km quay and 350 acres of statutory harbour authority. It has been identified as one of three sites on the east coast of the United Kingdom with the size, scale, shape, and location capable of being an Offshore Renewable Energy Hub Port.
Using circular economy practices the facility will accommodate multiple complementary work streams from decommissioning of oil and gas assets, recycling of wind turbines, production of sustainable aggregates and concrete, large scale manufacturing, offshore wind logistics and fabrication, sustainable energy production as well as offering its extensive marine facilities for the upgrade and maintenance of existing assets.
The facility will operate a commercial contracting model to engage directly with developers and EPC contractors.
“We are delighted to have helped Steve and Tony complete this acquisition, which could be transformational for the area and a hugely important part of supporting the country’s green transition as well as ensuring decommissioning work can stay within Scotland and the UK.”
Mr Regan and Mr O’Sullivan also own Messiah Decommissioning, which is dismantling the Hutton platform legs at Queen’s Dock at Port of Cromarty Firth. They moved the structure, which had sat in the body of water for more than 12 years, in May.
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