Harbour operators eye new business
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SCRABSTER Harbour’s future is looking bright with the completion of the latest phase of redevelopment on the horizon – four months behind schedule, but within budget.
Scrabster Harbour Trust is just weeks away from taking the official wraps off the new renewable and oil and gas servicing pier which board members claim is set to boost the economy of the far north for the next 50 to 60 years.
"We experienced slight slippage in the construction duration, but at present we are within budget, which is a good position to be in," said trust manager Sandy Mackie.
"The encouraging thing is that we are getting commercial interest not only in the new quay but n bringing forward other aspects of our development plan.
"We’ve put Scrabster into the shop window, and people are beginning to respond to that, which I think is very positive."
The harbour trust announced a three-part future strategy for the port in 2007.
The present phase features the expansion of the 1500-square-metre pier to a 11,500-square-metre facility capable of servicing both the fledgling renewables industry and the existing oil and gas market, which is predicted to have another North-Sea-style boom at fields off the west of Shetland.
Trust chairman William Calder said that the completion of the £17 million pier construction phase will be the culmination of a lot of hard work.
It should, he said, put the port in prime position to attract business from the development of marine turbines and the drive to exploit deposits to the west of Shetland.
"We are seven or eight miles from the tidal streams, and we are the nearest mainland port to the west of Shetland," said Mr Calder.
"The board recognised that five or six years ago at the initial outset on this trail.
"It’s been a long, steady process to get to where we are, but the harbour has been pro-active."
The board’s idea is to make Scrabster a one-stop-shop for fuel, water, heavy lifting, berthing and support for both markets.
"The needs of the renewables market and the needs of the oil and gas industry are not dissimilar," said Mr Calder.
"They need a port to service, a port to deploy, and they need support and work areas, as well as fuel and water.
Mr Mackie added: "We already have relationships with the firms looking at development, and we want to build on that by developing infrastructure here that will give advantages to them staying here."
"Being both a renewables and an oil and gas port is the way forward."
The first major activity for renewables is expected in the next two years, and already the harbour is benefiting from onshore renewable movements coming to the port.
The redevelopment of the quayside – which started in August, 2011 – has not been without difficulties, although both men admit that this is par for the course when dealing with structures extending into bodies of water.
The four-month delay was due to problems with piling for the pier, which forced the contractor to rethink what type of piles to use.
Both men praised the quick actions of contractor RJ McLeod in rectifying the difficulty.
Since phase one moved from the drawing board to tangible steel and concrete, the trust have started looking at phase two – the creation of a marine energy park at Scrabster Farm.
"The enterprise park and its development is pivotal in maximising the full potential of the quay," said Mr Calder.
"It was always viewed that they would work hand-in-hand.
"The harbour infrastructure can only achieve so much if the land is not developed to its full potential."
Mr Mackie said the trust is currently working with partners in bringing the designated enterprise zone forward "at the earliest possible opportunity".
The interest generated so far in the entire project – including the signing of two non-disclosure agreements with firms – has also allowed the trust to put the final phase of the development plan, the development of the bay’s deep water basin, firmly in the board’s sights.
"The long-term outlook for the harbour is very positive," said Mr Calder.
"But if we hadn’t taken these steps, the options would have been damnation. It has been a very worthwhile investment."
