Lerwick Port Authority has taken delivery of the first section of a new £16.5 million jetty, the users of which will include offshore industry vessels.
The early completion of the 110-metre section at Holmsgarth North clears the way for the demolition of the nearby former Shell jetty as part of the ongoing project, due for completion in the autumn.
The outer arm of the completed 800-metre-plus, L-shaped Holmsgarth North jetty will be suitable for berthing oil-and-gas-related shipping. The jetty will also provide deeper berthing – ultimately 10 metres – and more working area for the fishing fleet and create a dock sheltering a planned new white fish market.
Holmsgarth North is one of several current developments, totalling around £30 million, for completion in a year which has seen a rise of just 1% in port charges. Over the years, Lerwick’s charges have risen in line with inflation, with no additional increases sought to fund developments.
Sandra Laurenson, Port Authority Chief Executive, said: “We recognise the importance of costs to harbour users, particularly in difficult market conditions, and our aim is to fund investments from our ongoing business model of normal annual inflation.”
The Holmsgarth North project and a quay extension at Dales Voe for the offshore industry are both backed by Bank of Scotland funding, with the latter also supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Deep-water facilities at Dales Voe are being expanded in support of offshore industry subsea developments and decommissioning, with the 12.5-metres deep quay being extended 75-metres to 130-metres. It will have a load-bearing capacity of 60 tonnes per square metre, unmatched in Scotland, and will be complete later this year.
Sandra Laurenson added: “By expanding our capacity and ensuring our competitiveness, we are underpinning Lerwick’s advantages – natural and developed – as a location supporting port users in the surrounding waters of the northern North Sea and Atlantic.”
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