A £49 million investment in a new deep water terminal at Stornoway will “deliver a wealth of opportunities” to the local community and the cruise industry, according to the port authority’s chief executive.

The terminal, which is set to be operational from May 2023, will be able to accommodate vessels up to 360m in length and will be the only deep water berth on the west coast of Scotland, north of Greenock.

Officials said the development will provide a boost to the Hebrides cruise industry and wider economy.

It is hoped that more tourists will be able to visit the region’s most popular destinations, including the 5,000-year-old Callanish Stones, the Lewis Chessmen, and Blackhouse villages.

Stornoway Port Authority chief executive Alex MacLeod said: “We are extremely pleased to announce this major investment in the port’s cruise infrastructure, which will deliver a wealth of opportunities to both our community and the cruise industry.

“This significant project will allow Stornoway to welcome the world, as our epic landscape, living Gaelic culture, history with mystery and limitless landmarks, provides the perfect offering for cruise lines and tourists alike as they seek to explore Scotland and beyond.

“This project will bring transformative change to the entire region, most notably to the local economy. It gives us immense excitement to see the collaborative approach between all the local partners, which will be essential to ensure the operational success of the terminal.

“Our own announcement comes just three weeks after the confirmation of Southampton’s new fifth terminal, which will greatly enhance the cruise itineraries and volume of ships coming from Southampton and neighbouring ports.”

The new terminal at Southampton has been developed in partnership with MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. It will feature roof-mounted solar power and shore power connectivity, as the port looks to improve sustainability efforts.