Scrabster Harbour still planning major improvements
Scrabster Harbour Trust in the UK has drawn up an extensive blueprint for further development of the harbour. The key target markets for the development are offshore oil and gas activity to the West of Shetland/Atlantic Frontier area and marine renewable development in the Pentland Firth.
The blueprint identified three major developments. Phase 1 includes the redevelopment of the existing fish market pier to create a modern multi-purpose facility. Phase 2 includes creation of a new harbour within the existing deepwater basin, and acquisition of back up land close by to the port.
The overall cost for the development programme is projected at £50m. Following a competitive tendering exercise, Jacobs UK was appointed as consulting engineers to prepare a feasibility study on the preferred options for the Phase 1 redevelopment. The feasibility study was completed in 2008 with the preferred option being the creation of a two berth wedged shaped pier.
The key features of the developments are the creation of an additional 8,500m2 to10,000m2 of quayside space; a dedicated heavy lift pad capable of accommodating 1,000 ton loadouts; berthing at both side of pier provided by dredged pockets giving -7.5m depth at chart datum; 80m wide approach navigation channel again dredged to -7.5m at chart datum; pipeline bunkering facilities; potable water supply; and finally, serving and ducting suitable to accommodate mud/cements and brine silos for offshore support vessels.
The project has now moved to the outline design and tender stage. Scrabster Harbour Trust had hoped to award a design and construct contract in the summer of 2009, with an anticipated completion date for the new multi-purpose facility of mid-2011. In the current financial climate this has not been possible and although the Scottish Executive has declined to provide funding for the project, the Trust remains confident that it will be able to press ahead at a later date.
