Perth and Kinross Council is considering several bids from businesses which wish to take over the running of Perth’s harbour.
The harbour is viewed as a key component of the council’s Inner Tay masterplan a blueprint for how the local authority wants to develop the river Tay in the city into a state-of-the-art visitor destination with water taxis, leisure craft moorings and a floating heritage centre.
The green light has already been given for a series of pontoons on the riverfront to allow vessels to take people along the river.
Perth Harbour is regarded as requiring significant investment, with the council thought to have spent around £2 million over the past 20 years.
It has seen a gradual decline over time, with a major factor being that the largest ships that berth there are among the smallest currently being built commercially.
A local authority spokesman said: “Perth and Kinross Council has recently conducted a marketing proposal for Perth Harbour, asking for proposals from organisations who would be interested in taking over the harbour and its operations.
“This process is now closed.
“We are reviewing the bids submitted and will present the conclusions of this process along with our recommendations for moving forward to council at a future meeting.”