A MAJOR investment will be made to extend the operational life of the jetty at the Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal.

The facility, which handles the shipping of ethylene from the Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) at Mossmorran to ports in mainland Europe, is situated between Aberdour and Dalgety Bay.

A team of six specialists from Asset Integrity Maintenance have started working at the 233-metre long jetty for the first phase of a major upgrade programme.

This phase alone represents an investment of some 3,000 man-hours.

As part of the work, they will be using a cutting-edge temporary access structure, which will be suspended below the jetty and encloses the work area to ensure no environmental impact to the Firth of Forth below.

Jacob McAlister, plant manager at FEP, said: “The project at Braefoot Bay is integral to an extensive programme of maintenance and modernisation work at FEP.

"Adding many years to the operational life of the jetty is an exciting development.

"It will take our operations in to a new era and means we can continue to contribute to the local economy and employ local contractors and personnel.”

Th work will focus on the refurbishment, repair and protection of the jetty’s steelwork coating and will use abrasive materials and a vapour blasting technique that are environmentally friendly.

Blair McDonald, managing director at Linlithgow-based Asset Integrity Maintenance, said: “This is an important contract for our company.

"Our local teams will conduct this key upgrade project in a way that maintains the highest levels of environmental protection.

"When completed, it will ensure the safety and integrity of the jetty for years to come.”

The Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal began operations in 1984.

A major employer in the area for more than 30 years, around 270 employees and core contractors work at FEP.