Scottish Enterprise has announced that it is contributing GBP 11.7 million to the expansion of Aberdeen Harbour, in addition to a loan of up to GBP 175 million from the European Investment Bank and the support of up to GBP 11 million provided by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils via the Aberdeen City Region Deal.
The major expansion of Aberdeen Harbour will not only provide enhanced facilities and capacity for the oil industry, but will also help to capitalise on growing tourism and renewables markets.
Aberdeen Harbour currently has limited capacity to handle larger vessels for which deep water berthing is required, and the expansion will enable it to provide increased support for the renewables and decommissioning sectors, as well as accommodating larger cruise ships.
The expansion will provide 1,400 metres of new quay, a water depth of up to 10.5 metres, and an additional 125,000 square metres of lay-down area.
The project, costing GBP 350 million, is scheduled to be completed by 2020 and set to support the creation of 2,300 jobs by 2026.
Colin Parker , chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour, said: “The facilities developed will transform the port’s ability to accommodate the trend for larger vessels we are witnessing across a whole range of industries, thereby encouraging commercial diversification and future-proofing the port’s ability to support large scale marine operations.”
Visiting the harbour yesterday, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Aberdeen Harbour is Scotland’s main oil and gas port and one of Europe’s leading marine support centres for offshore energy. This funding will open up significant opportunities to diversify and exploit the rapid growth in cruise tourism and the renewables markets in Scotland.”