Japanese conglomerates Mitsui & Co Europe and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have jointly acquired the Port of Nigg and two associated energy services businesses from Scotland’s Global Energy Group (GEG), marking a major international investment in infrastructure critical to the UK’s energy transition.
The acquisition includes the Port of Nigg, fabrication firm Global Energy (Fabrication), and scaffolding and access services provider Global Energy Services. Under the terms of the deal, Mitsui will hold a 51% stake in the businesses, with MOL taking the remaining 49%.
The companies said they plan to invest further in the Port of Nigg to expand quayside infrastructure and increase manufacturing capacity in response to rising demand from offshore wind and oil and gas sectors.
Makoto Takasugi, Chief Operating Officer of Mitsui’s Iron & Steel Products Business Unit, said the acquisition builds on more than a decade of partnership with GEG. “We are privileged to take on the stewardship of the Port of Nigg and the associated energy services businesses, building on the strong foundations developed by Roy MacGregor and the Global Energy Group team,” he said.
Mitsui has been a shareholder in GEG since 2012, initially acquiring a 25.5% stake. The deal represents the company’s first major investment in a Scottish port and aligns with its broader low-carbon growth strategy across Europe.
Chairman of Global Energy Group Roy MacGregor said the time was right to transition the port to new ownership. “Having worked closely with our trusted investor, Mitsui, since 2012 we believe the time is right to let them drive the next stage of development at Nigg—and we believe they are the correct custodian for a facility that provides so much employment and prosperity for the Highlands,” he said.
While the transaction transfers ownership of key assets, GEG will retain operations through its remaining businesses—Global Port Services, Global Crane Services, and Global Wind Projects—as well as the Global Energy Group brand, headquarters in Inverness, and facilities in Invergordon, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh.
Masayuki Sugiyama, Managing Executive Officer of MOL, described the port as “indispensable” to the UK’s energy transition. “In partnership with Mitsui… we are fully committed to leveraging our expertise and experience in maritime operations to contribute to the long-term development of the Highlands and to accelerate a more sustainable future,” he said.
The Port of Nigg has emerged in recent years as a key logistics and fabrication hub for the offshore renewables sector. The new ownership signals increased international interest in Scotland’s role within Europe’s broader clean energy infrastructure network.
