Boost for Aberdeen expansion
Scotland’s Aberdeen Harbour Board’s plans to create additional berthing facilities at Nigg Bay have been recognised as being of national importance that could benefit the local and national economies by around £1bn per annum.
According to a new report, Economic Impact of Aberdeen Harbour Nigg Bay Development, the proposed plans would contribute majorly to the oil and gas industry.
“The initial studies indicate that the £320m development at Nigg Bay could create up to 1,500m of deep-water quays. This increase in capacity is vital in order to accommodate the demands that the harbour is currently facing, whilst also positioning us to attract future traffic flows associated with the subsea and renewables sectors.”
“Over the past few years we have experienced increased demand from our customers and have developed, as far as possible, the existing infrastructure of the port. It is clear that additional capacity is required to retain this activity, and avoid losing this work to overseas competitors, whilst also taking advantage of new opportunities in the subsea, cruise and renewable energy markets,” he added.
The report estimates that under a full development scenario, which includes upgrading the road infrastructure around Nigg Bay and an improved coastal road linking through to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), would result in Aberdeen Harbour contributing 30% more than it already does to the Scottish economy.
If the harbour was not expanded, the Scottish economy could lose up to £500m per annum by 2034, according to the report.
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