Aberdeen harbour’s key role in the north-east economy was highlighted yesterday in figures confirming record tonnage in 2011.
The number of North sea oil and gas support ships using the port rose to 5,421, from 5,122 in 2010, helping the number of vessels grow by 4% to 7,784. Total vessel tonnage last year hit a record 25.9million gross tonnes, up 7% on the 24.2million seen in 2010.
Goods were shipped through Aberdeen to and from locations including Africa, Russia and the Falklands during 2011, with total cargoes rising by 2% to 4.76million tonnes.
One new customer, Irish potato supplier IPM, used the harbour to store and transport 11,000 tonnes of seed crop to Egypt and Morocco late last year.
The port handled more than a million tonnes of refined oil products, helping to maintain steady fuel supplies to customers in the north.
Shipments of timber, salmon feed, scrap metal, road salt and calcium carbonate slurry were among other cargoes bolstering the port’s strong performance.
Passenger numbers for the harbour’s ferries increased slightly, with more than 150,000 people travelling between Aberdeen and the north isles.
Harbour board chief executive Colin Parker, said: “These strong results highlight the key role the port plays in terms of its contribution to both the regional and national economy.
“We are delighted with the excellent performance, with signs already pointing at these high levels of activity continuing across 2012.”
Mr Parker said the harbour board was not complacent, however, adding: “We will invest upwards of £24million this year in order to support the trend for increasing vessel sizes, primarily associated with oil and gas activity, and new business streams such as renewable-energy projects and decommissioning.”