Minutes:
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
During consideration of the following item the Convener declared an interest in the following article by virtue of being the Council’s appointed substitute representative member on the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group. Councillor Kevin Stewart declared an interest as the Chair of Nestrans and as a member on the Northern Isles Lifeline Ferry Services Tier 2 Forum. Neither Councillor felt it necessary to withdraw from the meeting.
The Convener welcomed to the meeting Mr. Colin Parker, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Harbour and Mr. Keith Allan, Chairman of Aberdeen Harbour Board, who then delivered a presentation on the operation and economic activity of the Aberdeen Harbour.
Mr. Parker advised that this activity contributed around £420million annually to the local economy, helped to sustain over 11,000 jobs directly and indirectly, and represented a key component in the region’s transport infrastructure. In terms of operations in 2009, 8,000 vessels (representing over 24 million vessel tonnes) had arrived at the harbour, as well as 141, 000 passengers and over 100,000 crew members. In addition 5 million tonnes of cargo had been handled. Graphs comparing the cargo tonnages, vessel tonnages and passenger numbers between 1980 and 2009 were presented.
With regard to income generated by the harbour, the biggest percentage (45%) came from oil related business, with the remaining income generated through commercial activities (25%), rent of land and buildings (24%), investments (5%) and fishing (1%).
In terms of the future operation of the port, there were a number future development plans, with £65 million expenditure already planned over the next five years. The main developments included providing deeper berths, creating more space for quayside operations, the development of nearby land for support of cargo operations, the redevelopment of Torry Quays and the possible widening and deepening of the entrance to the port to accommodate larger vessels.
Finally, Mr. Parker discussed the proposed wind deployment centre. The maritime sector and others had a number of key concerns regarding the proposal. In particular they felt that the proposed positioning of the centre was a navigational hazard in that it eliminated the safe anchorage at Aberdeen Bay, obstructed busy shipping routes, obscured navigation aids, interfered with radar, reduced sea room, and concentrated traffic into ‘pinch points’. The maritime sector was supportive of the centre and had suggested a number of safe alternative locations. Mr. Parker emphasised that engagement with the sector was now required to resolve the issue.
Members of the Committee then asked questions about the future development of the harbour, and about external funding opportunities in particular. In response Mr. Allan advised that there were a number of matters to be clarified prior to the Board exploring funding sources, and that, accordingly, they had not begun to explore this aspect so far. Further to this, members asked whether the widening and deepening developments proposed would enable the harbour to accommodate cruise ships. Mr. Parker advised that the harbour was a member of Cruise Europe and Scotland, and that last year ten cruise ships had docked at the harbour. However most modern cruise ships were too big to dock at most UK harbours, so they were required to anchor offshore and ferry passengers onshore.
The Committee resolved:-
to thank Mr. Parker and Mr. Allan for their informative presentation.