A multi-billion pound bid for an air, sea and rail economic zone on the River Clyde - backed by a public private partnership - is being finalised.
Plans for Clyde Green Freeport are being prepared by AGS Airports' Glasgow Airport, Peel Ports' Clydeport, Mossend International Railfreight Park in North Lanarkshire and a partnership of the Glasgow City Region councils.
The bid will be submitted later this month to the Scottish and UK governments for one of two green freeports set for Scotland.
The initiative is designed to attract major new investment to Glasgow City Region, develop global trading opportunities, create tens of thousands of new jobs, accelerate net zero objectives agreed at COP26, and take the region's economy to the next level.
A green freeport is a large, zoned area within a defined boundary which includes a rail, sea or airport. Operators and businesses in the zone can benefit from a package of tax and other incentives.
Clyde Green Freeport would maximise the area's transport network and facilities at Glasgow Airport, the freight interchange at Mossend, Bellshill and four deep-water ports on the River Clyde. It would also make progress towards decarbonising the area's transport infrastructure.
"As Scotland's economic powerhouse, Glasgow City Region is uniquely positioned to create a highly successful green freeport to put the country at the forefront of global trade and decarbonisation," said Kevin Rush, Clyde Green Freeport bid senior responsible officer and director of regional economic growth for Glasgow City Region.
"We have everything necessary to make a successful bid: unrivalled connectivity across the UK and beyond; one of the most educated populations in the UK; a GVA of £47.3bn and 33% of Scotland's GDP; three world-class innovation districts; home to internationally acclaimed universities and research institutes; and renowned business expertise across key sectors of aerospace, advanced engineering, manufacturing, maritime and medical."
James McSporran, director at Peel Ports' Clydeport, said: "With its origins on the Clyde going back to 1858 initially as Clyde Navigation trust, Clydeport has been a mainstay of supporting industry by importing and exporting goods growing to one million tonnes of cargo from its KGV facility to 60,000 containers moving through Greenock.
"It remains a significant player in the development of the Clyde industrial growth and is central to the Clyde Green Freeport bid initiative, providing not only the means to service the local markets but to allow a global reach through in house connectivity to other UK ports such as Liverpool and Medway."
Andrew Stirling, director at Peter D Stirling and Mossend International Railfreight Park, stated: "Along with our partners, we're in a very good position at Mossend to deliver this bid with our existing electric rail infrastructure and plans for our all electric rail freight terminal and freight park, all to be operated using alternative energies that put Scotland at the forefront in the UK for championing zero-carbon rail freight."
Ronald Leitch, operations director at Glasgow Airport, added: "As the industrial powerhouse of Scotland, the Glasgow City Region is the natural home for a freeport which will stimulate jobs, increase trade, attract new companies and make it easier for existing ones to export their goods and services.
"Already home to British Airways, Rolls Royce, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and Boeing, becoming a freeport will unlock huge development potential at the airport cluster and bolster the west of Scotland's global reputation as a centre of excellence for aerospace and advanced manufacturing."
Full details of the Clyde Green Freeport bid are being kept under wraps until after it is submitted later in June.
Separately, with just over a week to go before bidding closes on the competition for Scottish freeports, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack will today visit Teesside Freeport in Middlesbrough.
The UK Government is investing up to £52m to bring the freeport model to Scotland. Following a 12-week process, bids from prospective operators need to be in by 20 June.
Jack said: "Outside of the EU, the whole of the UK is seizing the freedoms and opportunities to do things differently - including setting up new freeports to turbo-charge economic delivery for people, families and communities.
"The Teesside Freeport has been a tremendous success from the get go, attracting business and investment to the area - as the first in the UK, it is a fantastic example of what can be achieved, securing multimillion-pound investments in renewables production, creating highly-skilled jobs and contributing to our long-term energy security."
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: "Our freeport is on course to supercharge Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, creating thousands of good quality, well-paid jobs and driving billions into the local economy."
Freeports are centred around one or more air, rail, or seaport, and can extend up to 45km beyond the port(s).
Any sea, air or rail port can apply as part of a consortium with other businesses, the council, and other relevant public bodies.
Covering 4,500 acres, the Teesside Freeport was the first of the UK freeports to open, in November last year. It is expected to create more than 18,000 new jobs over the next five years, and generate billions for the local economy. It has already secured multimillion-pound investment from GE Renewables to build a new offshore wind blade manufacturing plant.
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