Vision for future of Port of Lowestoft unveiled by ABP
It's to make sure the port is ready for the energy sector's future needs.
Associated British Ports (ABP) has confirmed that over the next five years it'll be investing in "significant upgrades" at the Port of Lowestoft to make sure it can accommodate the next generation of offshore vessels.
It's going to develop the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) which will include upgrades to marine facilities at Lowestoft's Outer Harbour, and new state-of-the-art infrastructure.
It's all to make sure the area can meet the needs of the offshore energy industry both now and in the future.
Andy Reay, who's the ABP Group Head of Commercial (Offshore Wind), said: "ABP is the number one host of O&M bases in the UK, providing infrastructure for operations and maintenance facilities to support offshore wind farms in Barrow, Grimsby and Lowestoft.
"Our LEEF project represents an exciting step change in our ability to service customers in the growing Southern North Sea energy sector.
"It will re-engineer existing quayside in the Outer Harbour and create the modern infrastructure needed to support a rapidly changing energy industry in a growing regional economy."
ABP says the first phase of development will cost £25m and will include a 360m berthing space for simultaneous use by three Service Operation Vessel (SOV).
It will also deliver 8 acres of flexible storage and a marshalling area.
There will also be around 5,000 sqft of new office space with direct quayside access.
Andrew Harston, ABP Director for Wales and Short Sea Ports, said: "The Port of Lowestoft already plays a key role in supporting the local economy, contributing £30m annually and supporting over 580 local jobs.
"We're looking forward to this role growing in future, with the rise in activity, new investments and new customers."
"The LEEF project has the potential to attract many supply chain companies to Lowestoft and create an energy cluster renaissance, bringing new jobs and prosperity to the area and supporting the substantial and strategically important investments being made in Offshore Windfarm developments off the Suffolk and Norfolk coast."
Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, commented: "Lowestoft is strategically well placed to benefit from the wide range of opportunities available in the Southern North Sea, which include one of the largest clusters of offshore wind farms in the world, rich fishing grounds and gas fields in which to store carbon.
"The Masterplan provides a framework for investment in Lowestoft Port that will attract business to the town, providing jobs for local people. I look forward to working with ABP in turning this vision in to reality."