Work starts on new Raasay Ferry Terminal

The new terminal will be 2km from the previous pier at Suisnish, which was constructed nearly a century ago to transport iron ore from Raasay. This terminal has deteriorated to a very poor condition, having been severely attacked by accelerated low water corrosion, and also did not provide adequate shelter for a modern ro-ro service.

The new terminal will be at Churchton Bay on Raasay, adjacent to the principal area of habitation on the island. The scope of works included a new slipway, ferry berthing facilities and a new breakwater. The berthing pier will be 194m long and built of reinforced concrete to minimise whole life maintenance costs for the client. Some 2,000 large pre-cast concrete block made at Kishorn in Wester Ross will be used.

The construction contract to build the new facility, which was designed by specialist consultant Arch Henderson, was awarded by the Highland Regional Council to Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd.

Working in partnership with Balfour Beatty will be Edinburgh based Atlas Marine Contractors, for whom the marine works at Raasay Ferry Terminal will be the largest single contract to date. Atlas Marine is growing rapidly from its origins as a diving and underwater services provider. The Raasay project sees the company make a major investment in new plant, including an excavator barge, a crane barge, two spud leg barges and two tugs.

Recognising the growing scope for works in the marine renewable energy sector, Atlas Marine has recently become a corporate member of the British Wind Energy association, which also supports wave and tidal power projects. Further demonstrations of Atlas Marine’s expanding scope and range are works underway with Costain on the Berth 3 dolphin demolition at Dover, their third year working with Besix Kier at the Milford Haven LNG Terminal, and the building of a new marina in Algeria. The latter project has required investment in yet another excavator barge and related support equipment.