- MOD completes purchase of key fuel terminal in West of Scotland.
- Facility will strengthen UK energy and naval operations’ resilience and enable future relocation of Royal Navy Mine Hunting Capability.
- Multi-million-pound investment reinforces Government commitment to HMNB Clyde and defence’s role as an engine for growth in the West of Scotland.
The Ministry of Defence has purchased the Finnart Oil Terminal on Scotland’s west coast, marking a multi-million-pound investment to strengthen the United Kingdom’s national security and defence resilience.
The facility will be owned by the MOD and operated by the Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA), who will recommission the site as a Naval Fuel depot, ensuring full compliance with all applicable safety and environmental legislation. The OPA has an impressive track record in the safe and effective operation of defence fuel assets in the UK and overseas.
This investment strengthens sovereign control of critical energy infrastructure at a time of heightened global volatility, reinforcing the Royal Navy’s operational resilience. It secures fuel access for the Royal Navy and enables sustained operations at scale.
As the Royal Navy fleet grows in size and technological complexity, this capability is fundamental to maintaining readiness and credible maritime power. It underpins the First Sea Lord’s commitment to a warfighting ready force, ensuring the United Kingdom can meet its own defence needs, while supporting NATO and wider collective security.
Speaking during a site visit, First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said: “The Royal Navy’s acquisition of the Finnart Oil Terminal is a critical step in strengthening our warfighting readiness and operational resilience. It secures a reliable fuel supply for our fleet, enabling us to sustain operations at pace and support our global commitments and NATO allies.
“Advancing the Warfighting Readiness Plan, this investment enhances our ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats and maintain our operational advantage. It demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring the Royal Navy remains ready to fight and win in an increasingly contested world.”
The acquisition of the site also paves the way for the phased relocation of Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) to Finnart, supporting a more agile operating model that enhances the Royal Navy’s ability to deploy, sustain and adapt, while strengthening resilient mine countermeasures capability.
The investment in the Finnart site will form part of the Clyde Transformation Programme, a multi-decade, multi-billion-pound programme to regenerate HM Naval Base Clyde. Together, these investments reinforce the West of Scotland’s central role in supporting the United Kingdom’s defence and security, while driving sustained economic growth in the region.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “This multi-million-pound investment will strengthen UK energy and naval operations’ resilience at a time when the security challenges we face have never been greater.
“Scotland has always been at the beating heart of UK defence and Finnart is further proof of that. By bringing this site back to life, the UK Government is also continuing its commitment to help with local recovery following the closure of Finnart last year.”
He continued: “From the Submarine Service at Faslane to shipbuilding on the Clyde, Scotland’s skilled workforce and world-class industrial base are central to keeping Britain secure.
“This acquisition supports the long-term transformation of HM Naval Base Clyde and supports the kind of high-skilled jobs and economic opportunity that our communities deserve. The UK Government is delivering a real defence dividend for Scotland and investments like this show exactly what that means in practice.”
