Aberdeen harbour plan lands Sturgeon cash boost
● FM says ‘new opportunities’ beckon for city
The £350 million expansion of Aberdeen’s harbour has taken a major step forward after Nicola Sturgeon yesterday unveiled £11.7m of public cash.
The project is aimed at helping to turn the Granite city into a more prolific destination for cruise ships and a renewables hub.
The latest cash boost from national economic development agency Scottish Enterprise will help support the creation of 2,300 jobs by 2026 as part of the scheme.
The First Minister visited Aberdeen Harbour yesterday which is due to be completed in 2020 and will also benefit the oil industry.
As well as the cash from Scottish Enterprise, the work is being funded with a loan of up to £175 million from the European Investment Bank, together with £11 million from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils, as part of the area’s city region deal.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Aberdeen Harbour is Scotland’s main oil and gas port and one of Europe’s leading marine support centres for offshore energy.
“This funding will open up significant opportunities to diversify and exploit the rapid growth in cruise tourism and the renewables markets in Scotland.
“We are already seeing Scottish-based firms seizing decommissioning opportunities, and we are committed to supporting Scottish industry to win further valuable contracts.
“That’s why we developed a decommissioning plan last year, and have since launched the £5 million Decommissioning Challenge Fund.”
Scottish Enterprise director of energy Maggie Mcginlay said: “The Aberdeen Harbour expansion project is strategically important to the growth of Scotland’s economy.
“A recent impact assessment study confirms the project will not only help sustain growth in the oil and gas sector, but will also help to maximise opportunities from the growing cruise tourism and renewables sectors.”
Chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour Colin Parker said the funding from Scottish Enterprise is “immensely significant” as it “further demonstrates recognition of this strategic project as one of national and international importance”.
He added: “The facilities developed will transform the port’s ability to accommodate the trend for larger vessels we are witnessing across a whole range of industries.”