30.01.07
CARGO AT ABERDEEN HARBOUR TOPS FIVE MILLION TONNES FOR FIRST TIME
Shipping also a new record
Aberdeen Harbour has achieved further significant milestones, with the tonnage of cargo handled in 2006 passing five million tonnes for the first time and the volume of shipping again setting a new record.
The continuing increase in activity saw 5.11 million tonnes of freight crossing the port’s quays, compared with 4.85 million tonnes in 2005.
Shipping reached a new high for the eighth year in succession at 23.46 million gross tonnes, up from 21.67 million gross tonnes, reflecting the larger vessels now using the port and an increase in arrivals to 8,433 (2005 – 8,335).
Harbour Board Chief Executive, Colin Parker, commented: “With strong performances across most sectors, the figures highlight the port’s major contribution to the economy and its ability to handle increasing traffic.
“Projects recently completed and underway, and others in planning, ensure capacity for ongoing expansion of activity which is further encouraged by a busy start to 2007.”
Increased levels of activity offshore were a feature of oil-related traffic which totalled more than 2.36 million tonnes (2005 - 2.22 million tonnes). The number of supply vessels rose by 429 to 5,677.
The wide range of general cargo shipped through Aberdeen increased to 2.36 million tonnes (2005 – 2.25 million tonnes).
Continuing growth in oil-related shipments to West Africa , increasing exports of scrap metal and the introduction of timber exports all made important contributions to the port’s performance, as did increased imports of calcium carbonate slurry, barites and steel tubulars. The number of fishing vessels and landings at the fish market both declined during 2006.
Passenger traffic saw a slight increase to 141,154, mostly on the roll-on/roll-off ferries serving Orkney and Shetland and the remainder onboard the eight visiting cruise ships.
The figures were announced following the Board’s January meeting at which members re-elected David Paton as Chairman and Keith Allan as Vice Chairman.
* Cargo at Aberdeen passed one million tonnes in 1924 and – with the growth of the offshore oil and gas industry - two million in 1979; three million in 1989 and four million in 1991.
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