Forth Ports has announced today that it will not proceed with an application for proposed ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth.

Group chief executive Charles Hammond said that the assessment carried out by Forth Ports demonstrated that, "taking into account the extremely high safety stipulations which would be placed on any vessels and the extensive support operations, STS is feasible in the Firth of Forth and could be undertaken without any adverse impact on the integrity of the environment, a paramount factor in any such exercise".

"However, given the uncertainty surrounding the scope of the proposed project, we have decided that this application is not in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.

"We are committed to participating fully in the forthcoming consultation exercise on ship-to-ship which will be launched shortly by the UK Government and hope our research will prove useful in helping to formulate any new national policies."

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, welcomed the news: "The Scottish Government joins the communities of the Firth of Forth in warmly welcoming this decision by Forth Ports.

"The decision against this specific proposal for ship to ship transfers of oil in the Firth of Forth will be welcomed by all those who have campaigned against the proposal.

"This is the right decision for Scotland and the right decision for Forth Ports. I am pleased that they made this balanced judgement. I am grateful to Forth Ports for their constructive engagement with the Scottish Government and with the Scottish Parliament on this issue."

Lochhead said that he particularly applauded Forth Ports' decision to publish the detailed technical assessment.

"In a separate development, I am pleased that the UK Government have finally accepted the case, put forward by the Scottish Government, with the unanimous support of the Scottish Parliament, to bring forward a revised regulatory framework for ship to ship oil transfers across the UK and I look forward to seeing the detail of this.

"I will be happy to work with the UK Government on their consultation process on general regulations around this issue that has been promised by the Department for Transport Ministers."

Related news items:

• Action on seasonal workers welcomed
• Action planned on overuse of plastic bags
• Action urged to prevent feathers flying
• Agricultural charity launches awareness campaign
• Agricultural shows get boost