The Port of Nigg was pleased to welcome the UK Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, on Monday 20th October as part of her four-day tour of Scotland aimed at building connections with national businesses and boosting investment and trade with Japan.
The Ambassador was welcomed onsite by senior representatives from Mitsui & Co. Europe Ltd. (Mitsui), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL), and Global Energy Service Holding (GESH) - the new owners and operators of the Port of Nigg. The representatives in attendance included Yukinobu Nakano, President & CEO of Mitsui; Edo Ndeke, External Affairs, Regional Strategy Office, Europe & Africa, MOL; and Yoshihiro Hayakawa, CEO and Managing Director of GESH.
The visit also included senior representatives from Sumitomo Electric, who are currently constructing a £350 million subsea cable manufacturing facility adjacent to the Port - a facility that will play a vital role in the UK’s offshore wind and energy infrastructure ambitions.
During a meeting in the Port of Nigg boardroom, discussions focused on Nigg’s strategic role as a multi-user energy hub, and on new opportunities to expand the site’s contribution to the international energy industry. GESH highlighted its commitment to continued investment in Nigg, including plans for large-scale offshore wind manufacturing and expanded quayside infrastructure to support the offshore wind, oil and gas, and wider energy sectors.
Mr Hayakawa commented:
“It was a privilege to welcome Ambassador Longbottom to the Port of Nigg and to share our vision for its continued development. GESH is committed to building on Nigg’s strong industrial heritage and position as an energy hub - driving growth, local jobs, and long-term opportunity for the Highlands and the UK energy sector.”
Following the discussion, Ambassador Longbottom toured the Port’s extensive facilities, witnessing first-hand the scale of infrastructure and the key role Nigg plays in supporting the UK’s energy transition and energy security. The visit concluded with a tour of the Sumitomo Electric subsea cable factory currently under construction.
Ambassador Longbottom said:
“It’s exciting to be in Scotland as part of the Foreign Secretary’s roadshow - developing the relationships that will supercharge growth in every corner of the UK. Japanese companies are choosing to invest and create jobs in the UK because of our skilled workforce, our world-class innovation, and our deep, trusted partnership with Japan. Scotland has all of these, and it’s my job to put Scotland on the map in Japan.
That’s why I’m in Scotland this week - exploring new opportunities both for local companies seeking to export to Japan and to explore how Japanese companies can invest and create more jobs and growth here.”
The visit reinforced the shared commitment between the UK and Japan to deepen collaboration in renewable energy and infrastructure investment, highlighting the Port of Nigg’s pivotal role in supporting the future energy industry.
