Archive ( 04.02.05 )
MAJOR PROJECTS ADDING TO ABERDEEN HARBOUR'S MODERN FACILITIES
New Marine Operations Centre and upgraded quay
Almost £8 million are to be invested in two major projects further reinforcing Aberdeen Harbour's position as a world class port serving a range of industries.
The Harbour Board are to build a state-of-the-art Marine Operations Centre adjacent to the North Pier, while a contract awarded for the redevelopment of Albert Quay West will create upgraded deep-water facilities to accommodate additional activity.
Aberdeen Harbour Board Chief Executive, Barclay Braithwaite, said: "The two projects are in line with our strategy to provide modern facilities and services meeting the requirements of port users, present and future.
"The Operations Centre will also be a landmark building which will enhance the image of both the port and the city, while the Albert Quay project underlines our commitment to handling more traffic."
The Centre will be situated on land currently used for storage, with the location giving required good visibility of the main channel and the entrances to the three arms of the port at which there are around 25,000 vessel movements annually.
The £3 million Centre will replace the existing Navigation Control Centre - known as "The Roundhouse" from its shape. Established in 1803 and last expanded 40 years ago, its limited space cannot be further increased.
Mr Braithwaite said: "The Centre will accommodate the latest vessel traffic management equipment and the port's ship's bridge training simulator. It will also bring improved efficiency through the integration of marine operations at one location."
Following a design competition, the Parr Partnership was selected as architects for the project. Their design reflects a traditional Scottish lighthouse supporting a modern glass structure.
The contract for the construction of the Centre is expected to be awarded in March.
Albert Quay West is over 100 years old and the redevelopment, costing more than £4.5 million, is the latest in a series of projects upgrading the port's quays and providing deep-water berthing. It will create 212 metres of common-user quay, with berths dredged to -7.5 metres and capable of accommodating two medium-to-large vessels.
Design work has been undertaken by Arch Henderson, with the construction contract awarded to George Leslie Ltd.
"The deteriorating condition of Albert Quay West and the need for major maintenance provided another opportunity to improve and expand facilities through redevelopment," said Mr Braithwaite. "We expect to attract increased activity to the quay and this will have a positive impact on jobs for service providers."
Construction on both the latest projects will begin within the next few months, with completion scheduled for early 2006. The work is expected to employ 80 at peak.
The Harbour Board reinvests all profits in the maintenance and development of the port, with more than £130 million spent since the 1970s and a current five-year budget of £36 million. In December, the Board announced that main rates and charges for 2005 are being held at 2004 levels - the sixth time in seven years there has been no increase. The port annually handles around 4 million tonnes of cargo, worth approximately £1.5 billion, with record tonnages of shipping in recent years.
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