Lerwick harbour enjoyed another busy year in 2012, helped by increasing oil and gas activity around Shetland.
Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) said yesterday that total tonnage last year was up 11% to 12.5million tonnes and it projected further growth in the coming year.
The number of offshore-industry vessels using the harbour increased by 9% to 623, while shipping tonnage jumped 52% to 3million tonnes and oil-related cargo rose 40% to 138,750 tonnes.
LPA has invested more than £20million on upgrades in four years, including work on a new section of deepwater quay which it completed last year to allow Technip to use the port as a base for a project in the Gryphon field 90 miles south-east of Shetland.
The authority has also revealed multimillion-pound plans for further improvements to attract more fishing and oil and gas-sector vessels, including a new white-fish market, a new quay and extending another berth.
LPA chief executive Sandra Laurenson said: “The continuing increase in offshore-industry traffic reinforces our investment strategy, including the deepwater quay completed early almost a year ago to meet demand and the commitment to build an extension this year.
“We are projecting more growth in 2013, with support for ongoing decommissioning work and more field-development projects in particular.”
LPA said the total number of ships using the port dipped by nearly 5% to 5,165 however, due to ferries being taken out of service and fewer fishing vessels visiting the harbour.
With fewer landings, fish tonnage was down nearly 7% to 61,314 tonnes and the value fell 38% to £50.1million.
Although the ferry refits led passenger numbers down 4% to 124,249, LPA reported a record cruise season with passengers up 22% to 37,572.
Miss Laurenson said: “There was a strong performance across various sectors in 2012 and the good signs for 2013 aren’t limited to the offshore industry.
“Last year’s record cruise season shows what can be achieved by all-round efforts and, with 45 vessels currently booked, we’re looking forward to another busy period.”