Edinburgh cruise liners: Vessel docks at Leith's new deep-water outer berth for first time

The 293 metre long Carnival Legend arrived for a one-day stop on Tuesday morning. And instead of anchoring in the Forth and passengers being ferried by tender to dry land, the ship - 15 times the size of the Royal Yacht Britannia - tied up at the new berth, allowing passengers to step ashore before heading off on their excursions.

Cruise liner Carnival Legend docks at Leith's outer berth | Forth Ports

But the cruise liner’s visit to the outer berth was a one-off - the purpose of the deep water facility is to accommodate the world’s largest offshore renewables support vessels. The docking of the Carnival Legend was part of the berth’s first full marine trial.

The outer berth - which is due to be completed and handed over next month - is part of what will be Scotland’s largest renewable energy hub, supporting Scotland’s energy transition plans, boosting local supply chains, creating new, high quality green jobs and helping to achieve net zero carbon emissions targets.

The berth will feature a heavy lift capability of up to 100 tonnes per square metre, backed up by 175 acres of adjacent land for associated renewables logistics, marshalling and manufacturing.

Stuart Wallace, chief executive of Forth Ports, said: “Forth Ports is driving private investment into vital port infrastructure in our ports to ensure Scotland benefits from future low carbon industries, including offshore wind. Although designed and built for offshore renewables, this successful trial of the new deep water outer berth in Leith with the Carnival Legend is a true milestone for our business as we get Leith ready, ahead of the market, for future renewables projects.”