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Aberdeen Harbour News

07 May 2021

Van Oord, Beattie FRC Secure $83,5M Aberdeen Harbour Expansion Work

Aberdeen Harbour Board has awarded two new contracts for the construction of the South Breakwater and Crown Wall, with a total value of £60 million (USD 83,5 million)Dutch marine and offshore contractor Van Oord will act as the principal contractor for the 550-meter-long South Breakwater, and Scottish-based construction firm Beattie FRC will build the concrete Crown Wall along the length of the North Breakwater.Both structures will provide critical protection for vessels and operations within the Harbour expansion, ultimately protecting the port from a one-in-300-year storm.

25 Aug 2020

McLachlan Marine Adds 19m Multicat

(Photo: McLachlan Marine)

Scottish inland workboat operator McLachlan Marine said it has added a 19-meter Multicat to its fleet to capitalize on opportunities in emerging sectors including renewables and marine construction. The only vessel of its kind based in the area, Ocean Supporter is designed for inshore work up to 60 miles out and handle up to 40 tonnes of cargo on deck. It has already been busy transferring supplies to boats at anchor off Aberdeen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporting dive…

18 Jan 2017

Optimizing Aberdeen's Harbour Expansion Design

Photo: HR Wallingford

A £350m ($431m) development plan to expand Aberdeen Harbour was approved on December 19, 2016. HR Wallingford has been involved in the project from its initial concept stages in 2010, and will be working with Aberdeen Harbour Board right through to construction, and undertaking modelling work for the approved contractor, Dragados UK Ltd. The new facilities will include 1,400 meters of new quay, with a water depth of up to 10.5 meters. Construction will begin in early 2017, with the project due to be completed in 2020.

12 May 2016

Aberdeen Harbour Performance Steady on Diversity

Photo: Aberdeen Harbour

Activity at Aberdeen Harbour remained steady throughout 2015 resulting in the port recording a 9.7 percent increase in turnover, up from £28.9 million in 2014 to £31.7 million in 2015. Pretax profit was also up by 21 percent at £15.03 million, compared to £12.4 million the previous year. A 6 percent drop in vessel numbers, from 7,937 to 7,428 is consistent with the trend for newer, larger multipurpose vessels using the port, which is evidenced by the marginal drop in overall vessel tonnage at 27.5 million metric tons, down only 2.1 percent from 28.1 million metric tons in 2014.

14 Dec 2015

Pinsent Masons Lands Aberdeen Harbour Project

Roger Connon (Photo: Aberdeen Harbour)

Aberdeen Harbour has appointed Pinsent Masons as legal adviser for its proposed Harbour Expansion Project. Pinsent Masons will advise on procurement, construction, funding, planning, environmental and property issues relating to the £410 million proposed project located south of the existing Aberdeen Harbour. The Nigg Bay facility is included in the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and would meet future demand for deep berthing space for oil and gas and renewables sector vessels and could attract larger cruise ships to Aberdeen.

11 Feb 2015

New Code Aims to Protect Dolphins near Aberdeen

Photo courtesy of Aberdeen Harbour

A joint taskforce has launched a Code of Practice to protect Bottlenose dolphins near Aberdeen’s Harbour mouth, and provide guidance to vessels operating in the port. The code has been developed by a joint taskforce who have come together as a result of increased interest in the dolphins. The group includes Aberdeen Harbour Board, East Grampian Coastal Partnership, Police Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage; with expert advice from the University of Aberdeen, RSPB, the Sea Mammal Research Unit and Whale and Dolphin Conservation.

10 Feb 2015

New Dive Support Vessel for N-sea

The Edradour, with sister vessel the Aberlour (Photo courtesy of N-Sea)

N-Sea has launched its third diving support vessel, the Edradour, representing a $2.2 million investment for the company to be immediately utilized in its inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) operations in the North Sea, as well as in Holland and Germany. Launched in Aberdeen Harbour at the beginning of the month, the Edradour’s capabilities as a daughter craft will be showcased at Subsea Expo in Aberdeen this week. Similar to its sister vessel, the Aberlour, the Edradour features added capability and redundancy…

14 Feb 2014

Aberdeen Harbor Expansion Gains Support

Aberdeen Harbor

Plans by Aberdeen Harbor Board to create additional berthing facilities at Nigg Bay have received a double boost. An independent report has estimated the economic benefit of the development to the local and national economies to be nearly £1 billion per annum. This report has been published in the same month that the Scottish Government, in their National Planning Process, has named the Nigg Bay Development as one of only 14 projects that they consider to be of national importance to Scotland.

29 May 2013

First Minister Launches Bibby Offshore New HQ

(L-R) First Minister Alex Salmond and Howard Woodcock, chief executive of Bibby Offshore officially open Bibby Offshore’s brand new purpose-built headquarters, Atmosphere One in Westhill.

First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, officially opened subsea installation contractor Bibby Offshore’s new purpose-built headquarters, Atmosphere One. The company recently relocated from Aberdeen Harbour to the new office facility at Prospect Park, Westhill, to provide Bibby Offshore with the additional capacity necessary to support its significant increase in staff numbers and services, as Bibby Offshore’s operations expand both in the U.K. and internationally. Bibby Offshore…

02 May 2013

Aberdeen Harbor Reports Record Results in 2012

Photo: Aberdeen Harbor

Aberdeen Harbor Board’s annual results have revealed record vessel activity in 2012 and record levels of cargo passing through the port. Overall vessel tonnage handled by the port increased by 8%, from 25.91 million tons in 2011, to 28.19 million tons in 2012. The Harbor also saw an 8% increase in cargo handled, increasing from 4.76 million tons in 2011 to 5.14 million tons in 2012 - another record for the Port. As a result, Aberdeen Harbor’s annual turnover increased by 13% to £27.37 million from £24.06 million in 2011, recording a retained profit of £7.46 million.

10 Dec 2012

Aberdeen Harbour Steps Expansion Plan Forward

Photo credit Aberdeen Harbour Board

Scotland's Aberdeen Harbour Board submits its 'Directions for Growth' document to the National Planning Framework. In response to a call for candidate developments the document outlines the findings from an ongoing feasibility study, which was launched in September to assess the viability of potential expansion options for a new or improved harbour facility. Three potential locations out with the existing harbour have been considered – North Beach, immediately to the north of the harbour…

07 Nov 2012

Aberdeen Harbor Welcomes Record-Breaking Vessel

Skandi Arctic

Aberdeen Harbor has welcomed the largest ever vessel to the port after the completion of a £5.2 million program to improve access and deepen the Navigation Channel. The improvements – designed to open the harbor to larger vessels and new markets – were completed five weeks ahead of schedule. The two recent visits of the diving support vessel, Skandi Arctic, were perfect demonstrations that the harbor has entered a new era. Measuring 27 metres in breadth and 156 metres in length…

12 Sep 2012

Aberdeen Port Study Underway

Colin Parker

Aberdeen Harbor Engages in Study into Potential Port Expansion. Aberdeen Harbour Board has commenced a major feasibility study into the potential expansion of facilities at the port. Continued growth in traffic and cargos, as well as an increase in the size of the vessels has prompted the study, as projections indicate that Aberdeen Harbour will remain the principal port for the oil and gas sector in the North Sea and West of Shetland. The harbour has also been outlined as a potential…

09 Aug 2012

Offshore Activity Spurs Scottish Harbour Growth

Aberdeen Harbour: Photo credit: John Allan, Geograph CCL

Aberdeen Harbour records significant North Sea energy sector traffic increase in first half 2012. Continued growth in the oil and gas sector was reflected in the increase in support vessels that used the port over the first six months of the year – up nine per cent from 2,580 in 2011 to 2,814 in 2012 – a further demonstration of the significant role the harbour plays within the energy industry and the benefits it provides to both Scotland and the UK. The half-year figures detail increases in traffic with both vessel numbers and tonnage on the rise.

18 Jul 2012

Harbour Awards £5.2M Contract for Port Improvements

Colin Parker, Harbour Board Chief Executive

Aberdeen Harbour Board has awarded a £5.2m contract involving major improvements to the port entrance and for widening and deepening the navigation channel. Harbour Board chief executive, Colin Parker said: “As the centre of activity for the energy industry’s marine operations in North-west Europe, the importance of targeted investment and development has been a top priority and, with the energy industry evolving, we have worked hard to ensure we stay ahead of the game. ”Once…

22 Dec 2011

Aberdeen Harbor Plans to Invest $37.6m

The import and export of goods by sea remains a vital part of the regional economy of the north-east of Scotland and this has been demonstrated more than ever this year, with a positive rise in activity levels at the port. 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 new and existing customers. There are already some exciting plans in store for 2012, including continued work at Torry Quays with the start of Phase 2 of the development.

15 Aug 2011

Aberdeen Celebrates Successful Cruise Season

Aberdeen Harbor has bid a fond farewell to another successful cruise season, with the arrival of the final vessel of the season, Hebridean Princess, a small luxury liner making its maiden voyage to the port.Carrying just 50 passengers and a crew of 38, the vessel’s ‘East Coast Adventure’ saw it berth at the harbour overnight before heading to Dundee, the East Neuk of Fife and Leith.The Princess is one of nine vessels that have called into Aberdeen Harbour since the cruise season began in May, with the MS Silver Cloud, Le Diamant and Europa also making their first visits to the port.

18 May 2011

Aberdeen Harbour Completesl Quay Refurbishment

Aberdeen Harbour Board has announced the completion of a £4 million refurbishment project at Commercial Quay East while welcoming the arrival of a new £1 million workboat. The reconstruction work at Commercial Quay East began in January 2010, with main contractor, McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd working alongside Glasgow-based consultant engineering firm Jacobs’, to undertake a varied programme of works. The project, part of Aberdeen Harbour Board’s £65 million development plan, included refurbishing the quay’s existing…

09 May 2011

First Cruise Ship Of The Season Arrives At Aberdeen Harbour

Aberdeen Harbour will welcome ten cruise calls this summer, with four vessels making their first ever visit to the port. The arrival of Noble Caledonia’s MS Quest, a small expedition liner carrying up to 50 passengers, heralded the start of the cruise season on Friday (May 6). A unique small vessel weighing in at 1268 tonnes, she spent the day in Aberdeen before leaving to explore the Copinsay Islands off Orkney, Isle of Lewis, St Kilda and Oban amongst other destinations. Other liners to visit the port over the summer include the MS Silver Cloud…

04 Oct 2010

Cummins in Honk Kong: Keeping Up the Quality

The tanker Tai Hing Hong 2 at anchor just outside Aberdeen Harbour (Haig-Brown photos courtesy of Cummins Marine)

On many older boats from the UK to Canada, and from Thailand to Hong Kong, the deep purr of a well-tuned Gardner diesel wakens fond memories for many mariners. When the British firm discontinued volume production of their standard engines in the early 1990s mariners had to choose another manufacturer to meet their expectations for quality. In Hong Kong this was made easier by the strong presence of Cummins marine diesels since the early 1980s. Otto C. Y. To, Deputy General Manager of Shun Fung Engineering Ltd…

22 Mar 2010

$1.5M Contract for MacDuff Shipyard

Photo courtesy Fifth Ring

Aberdeen Harbour has awarded Macduff Shipyards the contract to build a new workboat. The $1.5m vessel, inclusive of its high-tech survey suite is due for delivery in 2011, and will replace the port’s existing workboat. It will be fitted with twin 350 hp engines, a deck crane and at 147.f ft in length, will be used for general harbour activities including surveying, plough dredging and debris recovery. Ray Shaw, operations director & harbour master at Aberdeen Harbour, said: “Following a competitive tender process we are pleased to award this contract to local supplier Macduff Shipyard.

13 Jan 2010

Bell Finance Director, Aberdeen Harbour

Photo courtesy Fifth Ring Integrated Corporate Communications

Aberdeen Harbour Board has appointed James Bell as finance director following the recent retirement of Graeme Clark after 26 years service. Bell joins the Board from the Caledonian Brewing Company, a subsidiary of Heineken UK, where he was head of finance since 2002. A graduate of Dundee University, Bell initially trained with Bird Simpson, Chartered Accountants, and spent seven years with Meston Reid & Co before joining Diageo in 2001.

26 Oct 2009

Hutton’s Opens Largest UK Depot

Britain’s leading ship supplier, Hutton’s, has responded to growing demand from the offshore oil and gas sectors by opening its biggest UK depot in Aberdeen. Hutton’s, which recently announced record sales figures, moved into the 13,000 sq ft (1300sq m) depot from a smaller 5,000 sq ft warehouse a month ago. Hutton’s need for expansion is a result of increased business from the offshore industry. The new facility is located near Aberdeen harbour and provides Hutton’s with considerably increased capacity. In addition, the depot provides modern office space with up-to-date IT systems and hi-tech meeting facilities. Leased from the Harbour Board the unit is recently refurbished and houses 350 cu m of chilled and frozen freezer facilities and 382 ambient pallet places.

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