The landmark building was designed by SMC Parr Architects and constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine, with the design reflecting a traditional Scottish lighthouse supporting a modern glass structure. The building has taken top honours in the annual Awards and Commendations presented by Aberdeen Civic Society. It succeeds the “Roundhouse” Navigation Centre, in operation for more than 200 years.

One of the building’s many interesting features is a remote controlled searchlight which rotates through 36⁰ non-stop in the vertical and horizontal planes. Supplied by Bloctube Marine Services Ltd, the flexibility of the Twinlight model 200 searchlight enables the integration of a public address system. Two loudspeakers were fitted, one on either side of the Twinlight and operated alongside the searchlight joystick command position.

‘By employing state-of-the-art technology and integrating various aspects of operations at a single location, the Centre brings further important improvements to the management of the port and provides capacity for future growth in traffic,’ said Aberdeen Harbour Board Chief Executive, Colin Parker.

The Centre is one of three major projects at the port this year as part of a £44 million, five year development and maintenance budget. In March, the £4.75 million reconstruction of Albert Quay West was completed, adding to the deepwater berths which have been a catalyst in recent years for larger vessels to use the port, where the annual volume of shipping has passed 21 million tonnes.

At Point Law Peninsula, 20,000 m2 of surfaced area are being created to support a wide range of operations. The availability of quayside marshalling areas is another factor attracting increasing traffic, including the recent introduction of timber exports.

MJ Information No: 22511