Eyemouth Harbour Trust has announced a major step forward for its proposed £250 million deep water expansion, securing a £1.4m award from The Crown Estate's Supply Chain Accelerator fund.

This funding is earmarked for critical technical work required to move the project toward an investment-ready stage. The grant provides up to 50% of the total costs and requires matched funding to deliver the essential next phase, which includes the Full Business Case, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and detailed Site Investigation.

These technical studies will establish the engineering, environmental, and financial detail needed to confirm the feasibility of the ambitious project. The work includes:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Detailed analysis of potential effects, such as visual impact, noise, light, and impact on the local marine environment.

Site Investigation: Borehole drilling to accurately define seabed conditions, which is crucial for informing construction design and cost estimates.

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Full Business Case: Compiling all findings to support future investment decisions and validate the overall project value.

The expansion is the centrepiece of the Harbour Masterplan, launched in August 2025, which proposes a new deep-water facility primarily dedicated to supporting offshore wind activity and wider marine uses.

The planned infrastructure includes:

• Approximately 700 metres of quay and berthing.

• A water depth of 10 metres below chart datum.

• Around two hectares of laydown space.

• A heavy lift area with a capacity of 20 tonnes per square metre.

Offshore wind is identified as a substantial driver of future activity for the harbour. Eyemouth already hosts the operations and maintenance base for the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) wind farm. The proposed expansion could potentially support construction and maintenance activity for nearby major offshore wind projects, including the 4.1GW Berwick Bank project, as well as Ossian (3.6GW), Morven (2.9GW), and Bell Rock (1.8GW).

Early estimates suggest the harbour expansion could create around 200 further full-time equivalent jobs locally, contributing approximately £20 million each year to the regional economy.

Christine Bell, Chief Executive at Eyemouth Harbour Trust, hailed the funding award: "Securing this award from The Crown Estate Supply Chain Accelerator marks a significant step for Eyemouth Harbour Trust and a clear endorsement of the Masterplan. This takes the project into detailed design, with the full business case, environmental assessment and site investigations providing the technical evidence required to progress a £250 million expansion. Delivering the masterplan is about putting in place the infrastructure that will position Eyemouth as a key player in the offshore wind and maritime supply chain, while supporting local employment and strengthening the harbour's role in driving the regional economy."

The Masterplan was developed through extensive engagement with stakeholders and community groups, which will continue as the feasibility work progresses.