Aberdeen harbour plans port expansion

The board says that with trading links to more than 40 countries, the expansion of Aberdeen Harbour is vital to remain as the primary port for the oil and gas sector in the North Sea and West of Shetland. The study will explore the need for access links and ways to minimise traffic to keep up with growing traffic and cargo demands as well as larger vessel sizes.

Colin Parker, chief executive, Aberdeen Harbour, said: “In order to meet the demands of the future and service new business streams, we must consider viable expansion solutions, that will be identified using specific criteria including accessibility – taking into account existing road and rail links; the availability of non-residential land; proximity to existing port facilities; potential impact on and benefits to the surrounding communities; environmental considerations; landscape and visual impact.”

External specialists will work with the Harbour’s management team to assess the future needs of present and future port users.

As well as this, the port has also been examined as a potential centre for offshore wind developments within the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan and is expected to play an important part in the decommissioning sector.