Forth Ports has announced that its newly-constructed deep-water riverside berth at the Port of Leith, Scotland, will be named the Charles Hammond Berth. This honor recognizes the company's former Chief Executive, who stepped down in June after 23 years of leadership.
The announcement was made by his successor, Stuart Wallace, in an all-company video following a successful marine trial of the berth last week. The trial involved the Carnival Legend, an 88,500-tonne cruise ship, marking the largest vessel to ever berth at the Port of Leith.
“Since taking on the CEO role at the start of July, this has been the easiest decision I've faced,” Wallace said. “It was Charles's vision to build the infrastructure, first in Dundee then here in Leith, to meet the needs of the offshore wind sector, ahead of the market. This vision lives on, not just in his name but as we create Scotland's largest renewable energy hub right here in Leith, helping Scotland and the UK achieve their net zero ambitions.”
Built to accommodate the world's largest offshore renewables support vessels, Leith's outer berth is set to be completed and handed over later this month. The berth features a heavy lift capability of up to 100 tonnes per square meter (t/m²) and is supported by 175 acres of adjacent land designated for renewables logistics, marshalling, and manufacturing.
The development aims to deliver Scotland's largest renewable energy hub on a 175-acre site, supporting the country's energy transition plans. This initiative is expected to boost local supply chains, create high-quality green jobs, and significantly contribute to Scotland's net zero carbon emissions targets.
The Leith Renewables Hub will be a key component of the Forth Green Freeport's strategically located tax sites, which aim to reindustrialize central Scotland. This will generate thousands of green jobs by increasing trade and supporting business growth across the Firth of Forth.
An official opening ceremony for the new berth is planned for the coming months.
