Boom time for Wick harbour
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WICK Harbour has experienced two of its busiest months in recent years thanks to developments in the renewable industry and the export of resources from Caithness to the continent.
Activity at the port during September increased significantly compared to the same month a year ago, with 10 cargo ships arriving last month.
This compares to only two cargo vessels arriving in September 2013 as Wick Harbour Authority’s (WHA) reputation for business continues to grow.
Harbour master Malcolm Bremner confirmed six of the ships arrived to transport logs, which were cut down at Burn of Whilk and Stroupster, to Belgium and Germany.
The harbour also hosted two tankers, a coal boat and tug with barges carrying towheads last month, as well as welcoming three Windcat Workboats which act as crew transfer vessels for workers of the meteorological mast which has been installed in the Beatrice field.
Mr Bremner said the harbour would experience a consistent amount of traffic well into 2015.
“In September 2013, the port only had two cargo ships for the whole of the month,” he said.
“The export of the logs from the wind farm developments have been the main reason for the increase in recent traffic.
“But we’ve been busy since the beginning of this year with the arrival of wind turbines which has proven very successful for us.”
This week the port also welcomed three Smit vessels which are taking part in a naval exercise off the north coast.
The export of between 60,000 and 70,000 tonnes of logs to Europe has been a lucrative contract for Wick and operations will continue until at least April.
Wick marina has already enjoyed its most successful tourist season this year and WHA this week released figures revealing it has welcomed 314 boats in the last 10 months.
With two months to go, the figure has already surpassed last year’s total of 297.
