Building a second harbour in Aberdeen will generate an extra £1billion for the Scottish economy every year, and create 3,000 new jobs in the north-east.
Scottish Enterprise said last night that Aberdeen Harbour Board’s £320million plans to expand into Nigg Bay has a “critical role” to play in the future of Scotland.
An independent study commissioned by the economic body reveals that the expansion, which has been named as one of 14 projects considered of national importance by the Scottish Government, will double the current £1billion economic contribution the port makes.
The huge scheme, which harbour bosses hope to complete by 2022, will be aimed at the subsea and decommissioning sectors, as well as the burgeoning renewables markets.
It requires a huge amount of both public and private sector investment.
The harbour board is consulting on increasing charges for port users, which would both generate extra income and allow the harbour to borrow more money for the scheme.
Harbour board chief executive Colin Parker admitted last night that the project was a risk, but said the huge financial prize on offer made it worth taking.
He also warned that not expanding the port could lead to millions of pounds worth of business migrating to Norway.
“The harbour at present is operating at near capacity,” he said.
“Over the past few years we have experienced increased demand from our customers and have developed, as far as possible, the existing infrastructure of the port.
“Additional capacity is required to retain this activity, and avoid losing this work to our overseas competitors, whilst also taking advantage of new opportunities in the subsea, cruise and renewable energy markets.
“That the development at Nigg Bay provides such benefits to the national economy only strengthens our belief in the far reaching value of the project.
The independent report, Economic Impact of Aberdeen Harbour Nigg Bay Development, commissioned by Scottish Enterprise and produced by BiGGAR Economics, studies the impacts of a potential second harbour being constructed within Nigg Bay.
It estimates that under a full development scenario, which includes upgrading the road infrastructure around Nigg Bay, and in particular, an improved coastal road linking to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), would result in Aberdeen Harbour, as a whole, contributing £2billion annually, to the Scottish economy and supporting 15,000 jobs, an increase of 30% on the port’s current impact.
Of this figure the port would contribute an additional £500million directly to Aberdeen City and Shire.
Failure to expand the harbour would lead to a decrease of £500million per annum to the Scottish economy by 2034, an outcome largely attributed to likely increased competition from abroad.
Mr Parker added: “We are delighted that our project is being recognised for its full worth, both independently, and by the Scottish Government.”
Scottish Enterprise energy sector portfolio director, Maggie McGinlay, said: “Aberdeen Harbour is one of Europe’s leading marine support centres for offshore energy and makes a significant contribution to the Scottish Economy.
“This research shows additional capacity at the port would further support the oil and gas industry.
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