A family-owned firm is creating 14 jobs in the Highlands after its multi-million-pound investment in a new ship to transport live fish for the aquaculture industry.
Migdale Transport, based in Bonar Bridge, is due to take delivery of the purpose-built wellboat Marsali this month.
She will be used to support a contract the Sutherland firm won with Cooke Aquaculture Scotland, which operates salmon farms off Orkney and Shetland.
The purchase of the new vessel, built in Norway, was backed by a £13.5 million loan and financing deal with the HSBC UK bank.
Migdale managing director Hugh Murray said: “This is a significant and exciting addition to our fleet and we thank HSBC UK for recognising the benefits it will bring to our business and the local economy.
“In what are challenging economic circumstances, the new vessel will create jobs for the local area, while future proofing the business for years to come.”
The jobs created by the introduction of the Marsali into service will include 12 crew and two logistics and planning positions.
With two holds, the ship is capable of holding up to 210 tonnes of adult live fish.
She will operate from either Hartlepool or Workington, in England, to Unst in northern Shetland, with each trip taking between four and five days.
The vessel will also make regular visits to ports around the Highlands and islands and northern isles, including Campbeltown, Oban, Lochinver, Scrabster, Stromness, Kirkwall, Scalloway and Lerwick.
HSBC UK relationship manager Neal Tully said: “Migdale plays an important role in the supply and transportation of live fish around the UK.
“The business has a clear vision and their ambition was evident with the team’s plans in adding the Marsali to its operations.
“We look forward to seeing Migdale go from strength-to-strength.”
The Marsali has been designed to cope with sailing conditions in Scotland, while being manoeuvrable enough to operate safely around fish farm cages.
