Aberdeen Harbour bosses have stressed their need to expand after the port reported another “outstanding” year.
And its figures could have been even better but for a downturn in oil and gas activity towards the end of 2013 following the Sumburgh helicopter tragedy.
Vessel tonnage at the North Sea hub exceeded 28million tonnes for the second year in a row in 2013, according to figures which will be released today.
Nearly five million tonnes crossed the quayside and overall turnover jumped 1.1% to £27.6million, delivering pre-tax profits of £9.6million.
Last night chief executive Colin Parker said the figures showed the huge role the port continues to play in the north-east economy.
“These results are a reflection of the strategic importance of the port to our many and varied customers, and emphasises the important role the harbour plays in the economy.”
Mr Parker said that with the port operating at near capacity, it has become ever more apparent that additional facilities are required if Aberdeen Harbour is to continue to thrive.
A recent independent report conducted by BiGGAR Economics, and commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, indicated that expanding the Harbour at Nigg Bay could be worth an extra £1billion pounds a year to the Scottish economy.
He added: “We have worked hard to modernise the port significantly and, in 2013, we completed the £33million redevelopment of Torry Quay.
“In light of the forecast for increased activity in years to come we need to look to other options if we are to continue to keep pace with demand.
“Activity levels in 2013 have strengthened our commitment to the Nigg Bay expansion concept and in 2014 we continue to work on finding the best way for this visionary project to be delivered.”
Well over 155,000 ferry passengers also passed through the harbour over the period. The vast majority of these passengers were travelling on the Serco NorthLink ferry services to and from Orkney and Shetland. These services enjoyed a 5% increase in passenger numbers compared to 2012. The harbour also enjoyed a record cruise season with 13 ships visiting the port during 2013.
Around half of the offshore industry’s helicopter fleet was grounded in August after a Super Puma L2 plunged into the North Sea, killing four people on board.
The aircraft was taking workers from the Borgsten Dolphin platform when it crashed just two miles from Sumburgh Airport.
CHC grounded all of its EC225 models in the UK, while Bond Offshore and Bristow also enforced a temporary suspension of non-emergency flights. With all models suspended, delays and backlogs caused chaos for offshore activities.