Port could be new boom - chairman
(From The Orcadian dated February 22, 2001)

Councillors have recommended setting up a steering group along with representatives of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Orkney Enterprise to take forward the idea of developing a container trans-shipment port in Scapa Flow.

Director of development and protective services, Mr Jeremy Baster told members of the council's economic development committee this week that the next step in advancing the idea would be to commission a study to look at specific sites for a container hub.

He felt that it would be useful in future negotiations with individual container companies or other operators that the sites in question had at least outline planning permission. Mr Baster pointed out that this would be a lengthy process with environmental impact assessments and technical studies having to be drawn up for each site.

Economic development chairman, Councillor Jim Foubister described the idea as "very exciting, possibly the most exciting for employment potential since the advent of oil arriving in Orkney."

Councillor Fred Groundwater commented: "This is a tremendous opportunity for Orkney, but we mustn't kid ourselves that it's definitely going to happen. Once news of this gets out, there will be competition for this development from elsewhere."

Councillor Groundwater added: "We have to keep Scapa Terminals Ltd on board as the project develops, because they are entrepreneurs and have lots of contacts. Are you sure the steering group is big enough?"

Councillor John Brown welcomed the idea, and said: "It is an exciting prospect, but in terms of cost, it is well outwith anything which the islands council and even Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) can do much to fund. We should take this ahead with Scapa Terminals, and acknowledge that it was Mr Mike Craigie and Mr David Laidlow from that company who initiated the idea, made contact with Professor Alf Baird from Napier University, and introduced him to the Port of Halifax in Canada, and made contact with container operators."

Councillor Brown continued: "I can see a useful role for them to play on the steering group. At least one of them should be there. It would be churlish, to say the least, not to invite them onto the group."

Councillor Foubister accepted that Scapa Terminals had a lot of useful contacts and he assured the committee that they would be involved in the discussions on an ongoing basis, without actually serving on the steering group.

Councillor Keith Johnson pointed out that it had been the council's oil development working group which had taken the container port idea this far.

He said: "If this idea takes flower, it will have a bearing on the way in which we develop the oil and gas business in Orkney."

Mr Baster said he felt it was important that the steering group should report to some standing committee of the council.

"It is economic development primarily, so it would seem appropriate that it reports to this committee," he added.

Councillor Johnson then asked if the container trans-shipment hub development was of national importance, should there not be a representative from the Scottish Executive or Westminster on the steering group.

Mr Baster explained that the reason that he and Captain Moore had gone down to the Scottish Executive to brief officials from various departments about the potential development was because of its importance. He had also spoken to a representative of the Industry Department in Glasgow about the project.

"That person would be the relevant official, but whether they should be a full member of the steering group, or simply be kept informed by receiving minutes of meetings and so on, that was a matter for the council to decide," said Mr Baster.

Councillor Johnson felt it was vital to have the Government "on board" from the start.

Vice-convener, Councillor Sinclair, suggested asking the Industry Department how they wanted to be involved at this stage of the trans-shipment hub idea.

The economic development committee agreed to enquire about their level of interest in the project, as well as setting up the steering group with HIE and Orkney Enterprise, which will consist of OIC convener, Councillor Hugh Halcro-Johnston; vice-convener, Councillor Jim Sinclair; the chairman of the economic development committee, Councillor Jim Foubister; and transportation committee chairman, Councillor Stephen Hagan; together with the director of development and protective services, Mr Jeremy Baster; harbours director, Captain Bob Moore, and assistant chief executive, Mr Malcolm Burr.