Archive (29.03.06)
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR AT ABERDEEN HARBOUR
Record tonnages of cargo and shipping helped increase turnover at Aberdeen Harbour to a new high in 2005 in another successful year at the port.
Turnover reached £19.6 million, an increase of 7% compared with the previous record of £18.3 million in 2004. Pre tax profit dropped to £5.6 million (2004 - £6.8 million), “due to significant expenditure on major development and planned maintenance throughout the year, in line with ensuring a healthy future for the port,” comments Aberdeen Harbour Board Chairman, David Paton.
The Board re-invested £6.5 million last year in their maintenance and development programme, including the major reconstruction of Albert Quay West and the development of a state-of-the-art Marine Operations Centre, both for completion in the first half of 2006.
The Board announced previously that cargo handled reached a record 4.9 million tonnes in 2005 (2004 – 4.6 million), with the tonnage of shipping a new record for the seventh year in succession, at 21.7 million gross tonnes (2004 – 21.1 million).
Describing the year as “one of considerable further success,” Mr Paton said: “Our current strengths as both a regional resource and a global gateway are the result of the strategic vision of the Board over many years, coupled with the judicious reinvestment, as a Trust Port, of all profits in the undertaking.
“The Board’s comprehensive overview of strategy during 2005 reinforced the clear focus on moving the port forward to continued growth and success. The current five-year investment plan involves expenditure of £44 million and includes the significant provision of more space and facilities for port users.”
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