THE Scottish maritime sector is experiencing rapid growth in turnover, employment and productivity, despite the collapse in oil prices since late 2014.

And its prosperity will continue as the decommissioning of oil rigs and gas platforms gathers pace. A new report has found the Scottish maritime sector supports more than £17 billion in turnover, having grown more than 20 per cent in the last five years. It comes as the Scottish Maritime Cluster, a new trade organisation uniting all aspects of the sector, is officially launched tonight.