Ports and Harbours

Transport Scotland has responsibility for legislation, policy and guidance relating to ports and harbours in Scotland.

Lerwick Harbour, Shetland

We handle all devolved ports policy matters on behalf of Scottish Ministers, covering commercial, publicly owned and trust ports and related issues.

We administer provisions in the Harbours, Pilotage and Ports Acts and related local legislation. Including making of Harbour Empowerment and Revision Orders on application. We also liaise with the Marine Management Organisation who handle Harbour Orders in England.

We liaise with UK ports policy teams in Department for Transport (DfT) to maintain consistency within the UK policy framework set out in Modern Ports: A UK Policy.

We liaise with other maritime bodies including:

• The Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• The Northern Lighthouse Board
• Marine Scotland
• Chamber of Shipping
• Harbour Authorities and their industry bodies

Applications for consent under section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 were previously handled by Transport Scotland on behalf of Marine Scotland, but were replaced by Marine Licences from 6 April 2011.  To access application forms and guidance on the new system see Marine Licensing in Scotland section of the Scottish Government website. 

What kind of ports are there in Scotland?

We have a wide range of ports and harbours around our shores varying in size from large commercial operations to small slips and piers.

There are a variety of types of port including:

• privately owned ports
• trust ports both large and small
• local authority ports and harbours.