The new operator of the Arnish yard on Lewis has been tidying up the site in preparation of its potential reopening.
Signs of activity at the Arnish sheds have been evident over the summer with a small number of local personnel taken on to clear the outside yard as well as inside the fabrication halls.
So far, there’s no confirmation of a manufacturing order but the operator has been giving encouraging signals over recent months.
Harland & Wolff took over the yards at Arnish and Methil when BiFab fell into administration.
A de diligence audit of the firm was undertaken by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise ahead of transferring the yard leases to the incoming operator.
Harland and Wolff has secured a £26 million deal with Saipem to manufacture eight wind turbine foundations for the Neart na Gaoithe project off Fife. The fabrication work is earmarked for the Methill site but there are hopes some activity will be carried out on Lewis.
Albert Allan has been appointed as general manager at the Arnish yard.
He has worked for 33 years in project, operations and construction management. Previously, he was senior vice president for the rig design engineering unit at KCA Deutag.
Before that Mr Allan was general manager at the Oman Oil Construction Company.
He has held senior roles at Mott MacDonal and Global Energy Group, working on a wide range of oil, gas and construction projects across the world
At Arnish, he is responsible for the overall day-
Encouraging signals from Arnish yard
29 August 2021
Harland & Wolff
Harland & Wolff