A green light has been given for proposed plans to improve and expand facilities at the Aberdeen Harbour in Nigg Bay. The USD $430 million project has now been officially approved Scottish authorities, with work set to begin in spring 2017.
The new facilities are set to include 1,400 meters of new quay with a water depth of up to 10.5 meters, as well as the creation of an additional 125,000 square meters of lay-down area. The port is intending to re-invent as a facility capable of handling larger vessels across a wide range of industries, including offshore decommissioning and the cruise market. Seemingly, the Aberdeen facility is looking to take advantage of and accommodate the growing trend of ever-larger vessels.
Board chief executive Colin Parker said: “We are delighted that, after six years of detailed planning and extensive consultation with our many stakeholders and the regulatory authorities, we are now in a position to approve commencement of construction.
Parker went on to say “The expansion will afford existing customers the opportunity to diversify and expand their interests, whilst attracting new customers and markets to the port, including up-scaled decommissioning activity, a more significant share of the available cruise vessel fleet and larger more cost-effective commercial vessels”.
Transport Minister for Scotland, Humza Yousaf, also commented on the port expansion saying, “This is excellent news for Aberdeen and the Scottish maritime industry, as the signing of the construction contract means this nationally significant project can now get underway in earnest.”
“The significant investment will bring jobs and business to Aberdeen, supporting the local and national economy”.
It’s estimated the development will boost the economy by £1 billion a year by 2035, and create up to 7,000 new jobs. Project construction is scheduled for early 2017, with a projected completion date of summer 2020.
The Aberdeen expansion project has been in development as far back as 2012.
