CFPA chairman Alan Whiteford said that although the authority's current plans were only costed for a three-year period, they were well aware that major projects may take far longer to come to fruition. 'We have begun to develop a longer term vision for the port and for the future of the Cromarty Firth, he said. 'This will provide a framework for developing our strategic partnerships and for evaluating the commercial opportunities which may lie ahead.'

The authority's view of the long term future of the firth is based on a series of underlying principles and beliefs. An efficient, modern and integrated transport infrastructure is essential to the future of the Highland economy and to the region's quality of life. Many of the sectors most relevant to the development of the Highland economy in the coming decades will require ready access to ports and related shipment facilities.

The marine sector has considerable unfulfilled potential to provide cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions to the transport needs of industry and individuals.

Modern ports have a proven ability to act as the catalyst for a wide range of industrial, leisure and community developments to the benefit of the area they serve.

The shores and the deep and sheltered waters of the Cromarty Firth are a regional and national asset of significant value, in both economic and environmental terms, and they should attract appropriate investment to maintain and enhance their value.

Future developments in and around the Cromarty Firth should be considered in the wider planning, marketing and administrative context of the Inner Moray Firth as a whole.

Greater emphasis should be given to the port authority's role as a 'good neighbour' and as one of the leading stewards of the firth's natural environment.

A further important factor in shaping the future of the firth is the authority's recognition that in some regards - technical, financial and environmental - current port facilities now represent a constraint on its future ability to expand and diversity its business.

Mr Whiteford said, 'All these considerations lead us to the vision that in the longer term, although many of our activities will continue to take place in the Invergordon area, the centre of gravity of the port authority's infrastructure, particularly those facilities which serve heavy industrial activities, would be closer to the mouth of the Cromarty Firth, specifically in the Nigg Area.

'As yet, this is no more than a vision. The many practical, financial and staffing implications have yet to be examined in detail.'

The authority's three-year strategy sets out a series of action plans covering markets and business development, partnerships, facilities and services, CFPA's organisation and people, and connecting with the community. A key element of markets and business development is to continue diversifying port activities in order to reduce dependence on the oil-related sector.

MJ Information No: 19806