Aberdeen harbour bosses said yesterday they were to spend £24million on improvements to the port next year.
The investment comes after a strong rise in activity levels, including record vessel tonnage during 2011.
As of yesterday, 7,597 vessels had visited the harbour this year; up from 7,467 in the whole of 2010.
The total tonnage for 2011 has already exceeded last year’s record of 24.2million by 1.1million.
Harbour board chief executive Colin Parker said: “The import and export of goods by sea remains a vital part of the regional economy . . . and this has been demonstrated more than ever this year.
“Next year is set for similar success, with the board planning to invest in the region of £24million to ensure improvements at the harbour continue to meet the demands of . . . customers. There are already some exciting plans in store for 2012, including continued work at Torry Quays with the start of phase two of the development. Once complete, this will provide additional deepwater berthing and improved dockside facilities.”
Mr Parker said significant investment this year had paid off in the increased activity levels and he expected this growth to continue.
He added: “The changing requirements of port users, both locally and internationally, will remain a key influence on the improvements and developments taking place at Aberdeen harbour next year.
“Oil and gas exploration, both in the UK continental shelf and farther afield, is likely to continue apace and developments in the Barents Sea and Faroe Islands are expected to facilitate continued growth in both vessel numbers and tonnage across 2012.
“We will continue to cater for the larger vessels that coincide with this activity through ongoing investment and development, which has this year seen the deepening and strengthening of berths at Commercial Quay East, among other projects.
“West Africa will remain an important region for us, primarily as a result of energy-sector activity, while timber and scrap cargoes are expected to remain strong.”
New business during 2011 has included a freight service between Murmansk, in northern Russia, and the Netherlands. The port has also been used by ships carrying wind turbines to Scotland and thousands of tonnes of seed potatoes to Egypt.