Activity in the oil and gas industry – both offshore and onshore – continues to be a driving force at Lerwick harbour.
The port’s latest operating figures show increases in the number and tonnage of vessels and in cargo handled this year.
In the first nine months of 2013, 534 offshore industry-related vessels used the deep-water port, an increase of 10% on a year earlier.
Tonnage was up by 42% at 3.1million gross weight, compared to the same period in 2012. Cargo rose 28.5% to 137,958 tonnes.
Delivery of modules for the Shetland gas plant under construction near the Sullom Voe oil terminal contributed to oil and gas industry activity at Lerwick.
The total for all cargoes crossing the port’s near 4,375 yards of quays increased 15% to 856,800 tonnes.
Vessel arrivals totalled 4,179, up 3%, with the tonnage of shipping ahead by 7.8% at 10.5million gross weight.
The port’s capacity to handle large vessels was reflected in the number of pilotage movements, up 12% at 1,168, with the tonnage of vessels piloted rising 10% to 8.5million gross weight.
A total of 44,512 tonnes of fish worth £39.4million were landed between January and September, up 6% on volume and 17% on value.
Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Sandra Laurenson said: “2013 continues as a busy year, with growth across almost all sectors.
“The high level of activity by port users is backed by our ongoing development programme, with another deep-water quay due for completion in November. The recent grant of £515,315 from the European Regional Development Fund will help facilitate a £1.28million project to create three new lay-down areas, extending to 45,000 square metres (484,376sqft) and required to meet industry demand.”
The port’s figures also show a 6% increase in the number of ferry passengers using the roll-on/roll-off service between Lerwick and Orkney and Aberdeen, to 107,069 people over the first nine months of the year.
There was a predicted drop in cruise passengers, down 30% at 26,477, which the port authority said was due to various factors affecting specific operators in the 2013 season.