Port Ellen Terminal Development
Newsletter
Issue 1—September 2026
Project overview
The Port Ellen Terminal Development project will modernise the harbour and expand landside infrastructure to support current and future ferry operations. The project includes improvements to vehicle marshalling, staff and visitor parking, commercial port operations, passenger access to vessels, and the provision of improved terminal facilities for Port Ellen.
Introduction
Welcome to the first edition of the Port Ellen Terminal Development Project Newsletter.
This newsletter is part of our commitment to keeping island residents, ferry users, local businesses, harbour users and other stakeholders informed as work progresses. We will provide regular updates on construction activity, upcoming milestones, stakeholder engagement, and the benefits the project will deliver for Port Ellen, Islay, Jura, and the wider ferry network.
The Port Ellen Terminal Development project is a major investment in the harbour, supporting safer, more resilient ferry infrastructure and improved facilities for passengers, commercial users, and the local community. Dredging works are now underway as an important early step in preparing the harbour for the new ferry terminal, with environmental controls and monitoring in place throughout.
Progress on site
Work is now underway at Port Ellen, with the contractor taking possession of the site and moving into the early stages of construction activity. Site establishment works have included installing fencing and signage, alongside welfare facilities for the project team. The existing terminal building has been used as an interim site office whilst the site offices have been in the process of being built and fitted out.
Site establishment and surveys
Several early activities have been completed or are underway to prepare the site for the main construction works. These include pre-dredge surveys, environmental pre-start surveys and trial digs to confirm the position of underground services and existing structural elements.
An offsite storage compound has also been established adjacent to Islay airport runway. This will support the management and storage of materials and equipment required during construction.
Dredging works
Dredging works have now started at Port Ellen. These works are an important early stage in preparing the harbour for the next phases of marine construction and supporting delivery of the new ferry terminal infrastructure.
Dredging works have been carefully planned and are being carried out under approved licence conditions, with environmental controls and monitoring in place throughout. The project team will continue to manage the works carefully, with a focus on safety, environmental protection, and minimising disruption wherever possible.
Rock fill import and placement
Following the completion of the first phase of dredging, the import and placing of rock fill to the south side of the site has begun. This material is being imported by vessels from Glensanda Quarry.
Glensanda Quarry, the source of the rock fill for the new ferry terminal
Where possible, the project team is seeking to bring construction materials to Islay by sea, particularly rock fill and steel. This will help to reduce the impact of HGV movements on the island’s roads and limit additional demand for vehicle space on ferry services.
Drone video showing the progress of the rock fill beside the existing pier at Port Ellen, courtesy of McLaughlin & Harvey
Ferry operations during construction
During this phase of the works, ferry services that would normally use Port Ellen have been diverted to Port Askaig, where Argyll & Bute Council and CalMac have implemented traffic management improvements to help manage the increased activity at the port.
Port Askaig, as shown during construction for the Islay Vessel Enabling Works (IVEW) project
Managing harbour activity
The project team has also managed grain boat visits through the construction site during the early works period. This has required careful coordination to support continued harbour activity while maintaining safe construction operations on site.
Working together
Delivering a project of this scale at a live harbour requires close coordination between CMAL, the contractor, ferry operator, local authority, harbour users and the wider community.
One important focus has been working with the Port Ellen fishing community to agree on arrangements that support the continued operation of local fishing boats while construction works are safely managed on site. The support of the local fishing community in helping achieve this has been greatly appreciated.
The project team is also considering future community and education activities. Early discussions are underway with Islay High School and Argyll and Bute Council’s education team to explore STEM-related events for school pupils and potential work placement opportunities.
Delivering benefits for the community
The Port Ellen Terminal Development project will deliver a modernised harbour and expanded landside infrastructure to support current and future ferry operations. The wider project includes land reclamation to create marshalling and laydown areas, a new ferry berth, a new linkspan, a fixed ramp, shore power charging facilities, and a larger, enhanced ferry terminal building.
Video showing the arrival of rock fill beside the existing pier
The harbour will also benefit from improvements for commercial and fishing vessels, including a longer fishing berth and an extended commercial quay with segregated offloading areas. These improvements are intended to improve operational safety and flexibility within the port.
The project will also support more sustainable transport provision through measures including car charging bays and bicycle facilities, alongside upgraded lighting, CCTV, and fencing.
Environmental considerations are being managed as part of the works. The dredging activity is subject to monitoring and verification, with disposal activities recorded and tracked throughout the programme and post-completion surveys used to confirm that dredging and disposal have been carried out in line with the approved licence and environmental requirements.
Looking ahead
Over the coming weeks, visible activity at Port Ellen is expected to increase as the project moves through the next stages of early construction.
The next key activities include the continuation of dredging operations, the import and placement of rock fill, the removal of the existing linkspan structure, and the import of piles and piling plant.
Piling works are also beginning at the Fish Quay before progressing to the Commercial Quay. These are likely to be among the more noticeable construction activities on site. The works will be restricted to normal working hours, and proactive noise monitoring will be undertaken to help the project team monitor and manage noise levels.
The project team will continue to coordinate with harbour users, ferry operators, and local stakeholders as construction progresses, with safety, operational continuity, and clear communication remaining central to the delivery approach.
Stay updated
We will continue to provide regular project updates as work progresses.
Thank you to everyone who has engaged with the project so far and to those working with the project team to support safe delivery of the works at Port Ellen. We look forward to sharing further progress in the next edition of the Port Ellen Terminal Development Newsletter.
For more information about the project, please visit the Port Ellen Terminal Development project page or contact the project team at petd@cmassets.co.uk.
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