Cleaner greener pilot boats for Forth Ports

The pilot boats are 16.6 metres long and have an updated hull design and engines said to offer increased efficiency. They are alt fuel ready and will be capable of operating on HVO fuel which could result in a C02 emission reduction of up to 90%.

“The Rivers Forth and Tay are two of the largest and busiest waterways in the UK with thousands of vessels using the rivers each year, ranging from very large offshore drilling rigs in Dundee, to container vessels heading to Grangemouth and cruise liners sailing into both rivers,” said Alan McPherson, chief harbour master for Forth Ports’ Scottish operations.

“It is important that we invest in our marine fleet to deliver the best service for river users and at the same time, decarbonise our vessels using the very latest engine technology.”

Cleaner pilotage

The vessels will join the operator’s fleet on the Rivers Forth and Tay and will be used to transport pilots to help guide ships safely into port over an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters.

Pilot boats are important vessels on the river as they transport maritime pilots to the ships that need guided safely into port through the lock gates in Leith and Grangemouth, to a berth at a quayside in Dundee or Rosyth or to one of the deep-water anchorages in the River Forth.

As the statutory river authority for the Forth and Tay, Forth Ports marine team operate over an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters, so there’s huge potential to decarbonise with these vessels.

The two pilot boats have been designed in Scotland by Camarc Design and will be built this year by Holyhead Marine in Wales.

Forth Ports currently has five pilot boats and 11 tugs operating across the River Forth and Tay.