The draft masterplan includes a proposal to create a £50m deepwater engineering base at Arnish, as well as the redevelopment of the Goat Island boatyard and creation of a new marina at Newton with an estimated cost of £10m.

Other important improvements to facilities in the harbour, such as pontoons for the fishermen, landscaping, and ferry access road improvements are also included.

There are also possibilities, in the future once earlier developments have reached full potential, to build a third marina in Stornoway, in Sandwick Bay.

All the options are up for discussion during the public consultation period between now and January 13, 2017.

The SPA believes its plan could generate a return of £580m over the next 30 years and create about 200 new jobs by 2027.

Stornoway Port Authority chief executive, Alex Macleod, said: “This consultation process is important for the development of our port masterplan and we encourage the community to get involved in the process.

“A lot of research and engagement with key stakeholders has been progressed to get to this stage, and this public consultation is the final part of the process.

“The port must update what is generally 100-year-old infrastructure, and we must move forward to ensure we can accommodate modern ships and industries.”