The 12th caisson for Aberdeen harbour’s £350 million-plus expansion project arrived in the city yesterday after a 48-hour journey from storage in the Cromarty Firth.
It is for the north-facing, 1,770ft Castlegate Quay, which will support the international shipping industry, and key sectors including renewables and decommissioning.
The caisson – one of 22 being used to create the new south harbour – is about 167ft long, 39ft wide and nearly 50ft deep.
Aberdeen Harbour Board (AHB) chief executive Michelle Handforth said: “Construction of the fixed quays is progressing quickly, and we now have less than half of the caissons to arrive and be placed in the harbour.
“Our significantly larger quaysides, operational capabilities and expansive international connections will ensure Aberdeen harbour is a major player in the maritime economies of Scotland and the rest of the UK.”
She added: “My thanks go to our site team and multi-disciplined group of contractors whose expertise and experience has ensured the safe transfer and placement of this caisson.
“I look forward to the rest of the caissons arriving and seeing the remaining structure of south harbour quickly taking shape.”
AHB’s new facilities will start to be operational next year, although 100% completion is not expected before 2022.
The project received a major blow in June when lead contractor Dragados UK pulled out, leaving AHB to find firms to complete the final 30%.