A CONTROVERSIAL plan to transfer millions of tonnes of crude oil between tankers anchored in a dolphin hotspot could be avoided by a "safer" proposal now being considered.

The Cromarty Firth Port Authority has applied to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for a new licence to transfer oil between tankers anchored in open water at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth - a site described by a leading expert as “one of the most predictable places bottlenose dolphins will visit in Europe”.

There are fears any oil spill would herald an environmental disaster for the precious marine mammals, as well as bird colonies and designated conservation sites.

But nearby, oil transfers have been conducted at the large jetty at the Nigg oil terminal for more three decades where tankers have been tied up securely during the process.

The operators of the terminal, have now confirmed they are keen to restart transfers under an existing licence as they try to save 40 jobs now under threat, with the decommissioning of the Beatrice oil field.

The Nigg oil terminal has been the landfall for a 16 inch pipeline taking oil from the Beatrice Oil Field since 1981. It has large storage tanks as well as the substantial jetty. But with its reserves being depleted a decision was taken over two years ago to decommission Beatrice. The pipeline was finally shut down earlier this year.

This has led to uncertainty over the 40 jobs at the terminal provided by contractor the Wood Group. But Nigg’s operator Repsol Sinopec Resources UK, previously Talisman, has now confirmed it is looking to create a new role for Nigg after Beatrice, including ship to ship oil transfers at the jetty.

A Repsol spokesman said the site already owned a licence to allow ship to ship oil transfer.

He said: “Our first priority is to make sure the site is safe and presents no environmental risk after the closure of the Beatrice operation. We have now moved on to a grassroots review looking at potential economic scenarios. These could include tank storage; safe, sheltered handling of ship to ship oil transfers at the Nigg jetty."

Environmental consultant Dr Greg Fullarton, who is advising the Cromarty Rising campaign of local residents fighting the port authority’s plans, said: “Nigg jetty offers a potentially safer option for undertaking ship to ship. It is outwith the main area of dolphin activity, a spill can be quickly and more effectively contained and there is the important capability for onshore VOC (volatile organic compounds) recovery facility. The Cromarty Firth Port Authority proposal is a cheap and dirty option in direct competition to Nigg and if awarded a licence will lead to loss of those 40 jobs while bringing no new jobs and an unacceptable level of environmental risk."

But a spokesman for the port authority said: “The Port will continue with the application for this ship to ship licence, so it can maintain this essential service to the oil and gas industry in the North Sea. “

He would not comment on speculation the port authority has been trying to buy Nigg Jetty, because of “commercial sensitivities.”