The £18.5m project involves the reconstruction and redevelopment of the existing St Ola Pier and deepening of the inner and outer berths of the pier to allow larger vessels to dock.

Partial demolition of the existing pier will be required to allow for the construction of new pier walls and concrete decking.

Pier quay walls will comprise steel tubular piles with interlocking steel sheet piles.

Any concrete broken out as part of the demolition works will be crushed to use as engineering fill.

The renovated pier will be 280m long and fully enclosed around the perimeter

The layout of berths on the existing pier is to be altered slightly to deliver a uniform quay width of 32m along a 280m length.

It will be able to berth supply vessels up to 560ft and cruise ships of up to 820ft.

Scrabster Harbour Trust believes the scheme will lead to a 6% rise in traffic and boost port revenues by 18%.