The shipping platform

Location: Deep water sheltered port on the NE coast of Scotland, in Cromarty Firth, close to the North Sea oilfields. General overview: Major trade is the bulk import and export of crude oil and grain. Major imports include fishmeal, coal, fertiliser and pipe. The port also provides extensive oilfield support facilities such as repair, inspection, maintenance and conversion of semi submersibles and drilling rigs and floating production vessels. Major cruise liners visit the port in the summer. Traffic figures: Approx 2,860,000t of cargo and 520 vessels, totalling 3,952,000GT, handled annually (including Invergordon). Load line zone: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31. Max size: Largest vessel handled: Nigg Oil Terminal: "Bralanta", 155,200DWT tanker, draught 17.15m. Largest vessel berthed (Invergordon): "S.S. Norway", passenger liner, LOA 315m.