Montrose Port Authority (MPA) and its oil industry partners on site offer outstanding levels of service to this important industry which successfully shares port facilities with other commercial trades. MPA and its port partners provide a wide range of services to shipping including 24 hour pilotage, bunkering, craneage, stevedoring and ships agencies. Nestling in a sheltered haven on the River South Esk, within a mile of open sea, the thriving port of Montrose offers a cost-effective alternative for vessels using Scotland's East Coast. Developed on both the north and south banks of the river, the port offers around 1000 metres of quayside, equipped to deal with a broad variety of commercial and oil related cargoes. Extensive storage facilities comprise both open ground for general storage or fabrication and repair work, and warehousing for long-term use or as transit sheds. High standard office accommodation and engineering workshops are also in close proximity to the quayside. The secret of the port's success lies in its approach to customers. Attentive individual service, competitive pricing, fast efficient loading and unloading ensure that users return to Montrose time and again. The port has an interesting history which can be traced back to the 12th century. Recent years have witnessed substantial development, mainly as a result of the advent of North Sea oil. The port was one of the first to develop a special oil support base to cater for the needs of the offshore industry. Montrose has built a reputation as a perfect centre for international trade and distribution throughout Scotland and Northern England.