Stornoway Harbour welcomed the offshore construction vessel OIG Giant II to Arnish Pier on 17 November 2011.

The Giant II, which tips the scales at a mighty 18,118 gross tonnes, becomes the largest vessel ever to take an alongside berth at Stornoway Harbour.

The 172m long vessel was built as a heavy lift dock ship in 2010, and in 2011 underwent a major conversion so that it is now fully equipped for installation of structure and equipment at offshore locations, in support of renewable energy developments.

The current visit of the Giant II to Stornoway Harbour is to load the sub-frame and ballast components of a tidal turbine, which will be installed in a test location off the coast of Orkney next week. If the tide turbine proves successful, then it is likely that orders will be placed for multiple units, some of which may be built at Arnish.

The OIG Giant II sailed for offshore Orkney early on Saturday morning.