The British Ports Association has published a policy briefing on behalf of the Scottish Ports Group, setting out six priorities for the next Scottish Government ahead of the May Scottish Parliament election.
The document highlights the contribution of Scottish ports to trade, energy, fishing, tourism and coastal connectivity, while warning that planning, regulatory and infrastructure challenges risk constraining investment and growth across the sector.
The first priority calls for improvements to planning and marine consenting processes to accelerate port development approvals and provide investors with greater certainty.
The second addresses regulatory uncertainty affecting floating offshore wind, which the group identifies as already delaying investment decisions in a sector of significant strategic importance to Scotland.
The third priority seeks to protect the competitiveness of Scottish cruise ports by opposing the introduction of a cruise levy, which the group warns could deter vessel calls and harm the local economies that depend on cruise tourism.
The fourth priority focuses on improving road connectivity and last-mile transport links to facilitate freight movement and unlock commercial growth across port catchment areas.
The fifth priority calls for sustained support for Scottish fishing ports, including the protection of landing requirements and the provision of long-term funding certainty for port infrastructure serving the fishing industry.
The sixth and final priority urges a balanced approach to energy policy, supporting existing oil and gas activity while accelerating investment in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture, and specifically addressing grid connection costs that the group identifies as hampering energy transition investment.
The full briefing, spanning 12 pages, sets out the practical policy actions the group considers necessary for Scotland’s ports to reach their full economic and strategic potential in the years ahead.
