Stornoway Port Authority Board at a recent meeting decided to increase Harbour Dues at the Port by 1.5% as from 1st January 2010.

 In arriving at this decision the Board took account of the difficult operating climate facing all of the businesses using the harbour and therefore restricted the increase to the lowest margin possible.

 The Authority is faced with significant infrastructure maintenance costs associated especially with the Piers and Linkspans at the Port.

 In 2009 a Special Report commissioned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) confirmed the requirement for two Linkspans at Stornoway so as to adequately cover the Island’s needs in the event of a breakdown of one of the Port’s existing linkspans.

 The Authority has aspirations of installing a new Linkspan at the Port and to replace the old Number 1 Pier which is coming to an end of its useful life.

 Commenting, Chief Executive John J. Maclennan said “The provision of a new Pier Number 1 and Linkspan is of high priority but realistically this can only go ahead when a funding opportunity becomes available as the estimated costs for such a development exceeds £25 million. The Authority works closely with CMAL who is responsible for administering Grants to Lifeline ferry Services”