Aberdeen Harbour improvement project begins after £5.2m contract award

Aberdeen Harbour: The work is expected to be completed by early October.

Work is under way to make major improvements to Aberdeen Harbour.

Westminster Dredging Company won the £5.2m contract to improve the port entrance and widen and deepen the harbour's navigation channel.

The work involves a combination of dredging techniques and has been commissioned to ensure the harbour continues to meet the needs of users, with larger vessels now becoming an increasingly regular fixture at the port.

Colin Parker, harbour board chief executive, 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 completed this work will be of great benefit to our customers and should enable us to be involved in new markets such as offshore wind turbine deployment. Every effort will be made to ensure the harbour continues to function during the works at a time when we are experiencing record levels of activity."

Gordon McIntosh, Aberdeen City Council director of enterprise planning and infrastructure, said: "This is a very exciting time for Aberdeen Harbour with many new developments and improvements to look forward to which will maintain its status as a world-class port.

"The harbour is the main commercial port for the north-east of Scotland and the principal port in Europe for marine support of the North Sea's oil and gas industry so therefore plays a vital role in the UK economy."

Aberdeen City Council leader, Councillor Barney Crockett, convener of the enterprise, planning and infrastructure committee, added: "This is a significant development for Aberdeen and one which will ensure the potential of harbour land and property is optimised in order that facilities are available for operation, expansion and potential new business in years to come.

"For hundreds of years the council and harbour authorities have worked together. On the council we recognise how important this partnership is and greatly welcome this fresh investment."

The project has now commenced with an anticipated completion by early October.

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