POSITIVE levels of activity recorded by Aberdeen Harbour in the first half of the year have continued, with the port today announcing improved performance across various sectors in the third quarter.
Across the nine months, overall vessel tonnage has risen by 5% on the same period last year to 19.33million gross tonnes.
The number of vessels has also experienced a significant increase of 4% to 5,922, which reflects the growing numbers of oil-related and commercial vessels using Aberdeen Harbour’s facilities.
Africa has been one of the fastest growing routes for the port, with significant increases during 2011.
The port has recorded growth of 21% in the tonnage of cargo handled going to and from the continent, rising to 45,000 tonnes.
A growing number and tonnage of cruise vessels visiting the port also contributed to the harbour’s strong performance, while the continued importance of the Northlink ferry service was demonstrated by a 2% rise in overall passenger numbers to 60,605.
The harbour master and operations director, Ray Shaw, said: “The latest figures, which show a rise in activity across the board, provide further encouragement that the continued and significant investment being made into the port’s facilities is justified.
“The scheduled shipping links with Africa, through which increasing levels of oil field equipment are being handled, are particularly buoyant, while this year has also seen us welcome a new circular freight cargo service operating between north Russia and Holland. We now have trading links with more than 40 countries around the world.
“These services make a key contribution to activity levels and demonstrate the importance of Aberdeen Harbour both locally, nationally and on a global scale. We look forward to the continued progress we expect to recognise across the remainder of the year.”
Activity at the port generates more than £420million to the region’s economy each year and helps support around 11,000 jobs.
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