A preferred design option to improve the facility's operations and resilience has been identified by the Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "This is excellent news and I thank all the organisations that make up the Taskforce for their efforts.
"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the Arran ferry service is fit for the future. These plans will help bring greater resilience and reliability to the link.
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"I look forward to continuing this collaboration with the members of the Taskforce as we work together to deliver this important project."
The approval comes almost exactly one year on from the decision to retain the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route.
North Ayrshire Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: "This is great news and means we can now press forward with the exciting plans for the harbour.
"Alongside our partners on the working group, we have been working hard to ensure Ardrossan Harbour is of a standard which will allow it to support to lifeline ferry services and the new vessel on the Arran route for many years to come.
"We fought a long, hard campaign to retain the Ardrossan-Brodick and the Campbeltown ferry routes so we are delighted that we can move on to the next stage.
"We fully expect that once the improvement works have been carried out at harbour, it can be the catalyst for the wider regeneration of the Ardrossan area."
(LM/MH)
