Start of the £350 million project, which was recently granted planning consent in the form of Marine Licenses and a Harbor Revision Order by the Scottish Government, was yesterday sanctioned by the Aberdeen Harbor Board.
The construction contract with its preferred bidder, Dragados UK, is due to be formalized at a signing ceremony today.
Following a detailed engagement process, Aberdeen Harbor Board, in partnership with Dragados UK, will develop facilities over the next three years that will represent a step change in the marine support capabilities in Scotland, the Harbor said in its announcement.
Alistair Mackenzie, Chairman of Aberdeen Harbour Board, said: “Aberdeen Harbor has been in existence for almost 900 years. Its longevity can be attributed to its ability to adapt to changing trading requirements and being forward-thinking in delivering new and improved facilities to support its customers, while at the same time attracting new business.”
“This major new chapter in the port’s history continues this approach and underpins the Trust Port ethos of viewing future generations as key stakeholders. We believe that the infrastructure developed in Nigg Bay will encourage and support the continued prosperity of the city and region that the harbor serves and make a significant national economic contribution.”
The new facilities will include 1,400 meters of new quay, with a water depth of up to 10.5 meters and will create an additional 125,000 square meters of lay-down area.
An independent study, commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, estimates that the development will generate an additional £1 billion per annum to the economy by 2035, and will create an additional 7,000 equivalent jobs.
Funding arrangements for the project incorporated commercial borrowing from the European Investment Bank, and funding from the Aberdeen City & Region Deal.
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