Lerwick Harbour dredging project formally inaugu
What the port describes as ‘ a new era of opportunities for Lerwick Harbour’ has been launched officially with a celebration marking the latest significant phase in an ongoing development programme at the Shetland port.
A £12m dredging project in 2008 opened the door to improved access for larger ships now operating in various sectors, including offshore oil and gas, fishing and the cruise industry, and reclaimed land for new developments.
Brian Anderson, chairman of Lerwick Port Authority said, ‘The dredging project has ushered in a new era of opportunities for Lerwick Harbour, with the capacity to handle larger vessels and additional land for new and expanding activities by a variety of companies. It marks another important milestone in creating the infrastructure for the future.’
To commemorate the occasion, Stewart Stevenson, Member of the Scottish Parliament and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure & Climate Change, unveiled a framed edition of the port’s navigation chart, updated following the project.
Mr Stevenson said, ‘This is an exciting project and the improved access will provide a real boost to Shetland’s local economy, encouraging larger vessels to call in to these islands. In these challenging economic times, it’s important that our more remote communities play to their strengths and this £12m investment does just that. This is the first stage of a much wider development which will go on to safeguard almost 2,500 Shetland jobs.’ The Minister and other guests saw the areas of improvement while touring the port on board the ferry Hjaltland.
There is now a minimum of 9m of water depth north to south through the entire harbour, which has two entrances. The dredging provided a deepened north channel and a widened north entrance and basin at Greenhead Base.
The project has enhanced Lerwick’s role in the offshore industry, including handling larger vessels, onshore decommissioning, and marine support for offshore exploration, development, production and decommissioning. Construction of two news quays, with 9m water depth at Greenhead Base, will begin next year, increasing the berthing by a third.
Concepts have also been developed to show how Lerwick can provide deepwater infrastructure with at least 20m depth. There are two suitable locations at Dales Voe and next to the reclaimed land at North Greenhead. Designated for future development, the reclaimed area, extending to more than 10 acres, has been created from the dredged materials sourced in the largest single capital scheme in the port’s modern history.
