Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond officially opened a new, £30 million deepwater berth at Peterhead Port this week on March 21.

The Smith Embankment took 18 months to construct and was built in order to allow Peterhead Port Authority (PPA) – which is responsible for managing and developing the port – to attract new business and target previously untapped markets.

The embankment development, which received a £5.25million grant from the Scottish Government and European Fisheries Fund, incorporates a 200 metre long berth, breakwater, dredging and land reclamation works.

The facility will create up to 60 full time job opportunities and it is estimated that the berth will contribute around £12million to the local economy each year.

Boasting an adjacent working area of 16,000 sq metres and a water depth of 10 metres, the embankment has significantly expanded the range of projects that can be completed and handled on site.

For example, the deepwater berth is ideal for the subsea industry as it can accommodate the new generation of larger diving support vessels that are now coming onstream.

Also, the vast adjacent working area provides companies operating within the offshore wind sector with the capacity to assemble or manufacture components for wind and wave devices.

Whilst the facility will play a key role in attracting fresh sectors, it will also provide much needed space and discharging berths for the pelagic fishing industry, which in turn will help cement Peterhead’s position as the UK’s premier fishing port.

PPA recently revealed that it had recorded a 12.5% increase in turnover in 2010 – an achievement that was assisted significantly by the performance of its fish market, with the port setting a new UK record for landings for the fifth consecutive year with a combined fish value throughput of £148.5 million.

The Authority’s turnover for the year hit a record £8.2million – its highest ever figure – and an increase of £1million from the £7.2million set in 2009.

Speaking at the official opening, which was attended by 250 invited guests, First Minister Mr Salmond, said: “This world-class new berth at Peterhead Port will create jobs and secure millions of pounds of investment for the local area.

“Our fishing industry is the lifeblood of Scotland’s coastal communities and the Scottish Government is committed to working with and supporting our fishing communities. The new harbour facility is a magnificent addition to the port and will build on Peterhead’s record landings last year and reputation as Europe’s number one fishing port to further strengthen its position in the future.”

John Wallace, Chief Executive of Peterhead Port Authority, added: “We are thrilled to have our First Minister officially open the Smith Embankment – a facility that will have an extremely positive impact on, not only on the local Peterhead community and economy, but the wider North-east region.

“This multi-user facility, which will be utilised by the palegic fishing industry, as well as the oil and gas, subsea and decommissioning sectors, is an extremely exciting development for the region as we gear up to capitalise on the major opportunities available in these areas.

“The delivery of the project involved a tremendous joint effort from the team at PPA, the contractors Westminster Dredging and RJ McLeod, and the engineers, Fraenkel.

“Considering the work was undertaken amidst the world’s worst financial crash since the great depression, the successful completion of the project – delivered on time and within budget – is an all the more remarkable achievement.”

PPA Convenor Bill Mackie commented: “We are grateful for the Scottish Government and EFF assistance and for the magnificent workmanship of the contractor and engineer. Peterhead has been re-energised and is now well positioned to address the many challenges which developing opportunities will inevitably bring.”

Sara Budge, Project Director of Energetica, added: “Today’s opening signals a major step-forward for Peterhead and the port which both play an integral role within Energetica. The embankment development will help secure new business, particularly in renewables, subsea oil and gas and decommissioning, particularly when combined with the proposed 16 acres of new, waterside development land and the 55 acre industrial park at Upperton.

“It will help meet Energetica’s ambition for this area to become a centre of technical innovation in the service and maintenance of renewable power generation equipment and light assembly of components used in renewable power generation.”

Energetica is the new energy community stretching north from the Bridge of Don to Peterhead and west to the airport which could generate £750 million in investment in the first ten years with the potential to generate £500 million of additional annual GVA in the region.

Tags: Peterhead Port