Aberdeen Harbour has reported a healthy start to 2009, remaining on budget for the first half of the year. Passenger figures have seen an increase, with more than 63,000 using the ferry service between Aberdeen, Shetland and Orkney, against 57,000 the previous year. Ten cruise vessels also called in to Aberdeen through to the end of June.
Imports and exports were lower than for the period last year, from 2.5million tonnes in 2008 to 2.3 million tonnes for the first half of 2009, however, vessel tonnages remained at over 11.5 million gross tonnes. The oil and gas industry continues to be a significant part of the port’s traffic including 46 dive support vessel visits to the harbour in the first half of this year.
Colin Parker, chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour, said: “We are pleased with the performance of the port for the first six months of the year and, although figures are slightly down on the records of 2008, we are still in line with our budget expectations. The increase in passenger numbers is welcome and continues to highlight the importance of the port as a mainland link to Shetland and Orkney”.