Expanded Port of Aberdeen’s multi-billion pound economic and jobs boost
Port of Aberdeen’s transformational £420 million expansion project has been officially opened, catalysing a multi-billion pound economic and jobs boost for Scotland. Already an economic powerhouse for the region, independent analysis forecasts that when the expanded Port of Aberdeen reaches its full potential the port’s Gross Value Added contribution will jump 60% to £2.4 billion and increase the number of jobs supported by 45% to an incredible 17,500.
At the peak of construction, there were 300 people working onsite and more than 30 companies from across the North East of Scotland were involved in the construction of Aberdeen South Harbour. These local organisations played an instrumental role in the successful completion and benefited from contact awards of £44 million since 2020, with a further £16 million of work delivered by companies across the rest of Scotland.
The new harbour has generated more than £3 million of revenue during its phased opening and is attracting vessels and projects that would have previously sailed past the city, often destined for a European port. This increased activity in energy, trade and tourism supports local jobs, attracts local supply chain spend and investment, and the profits generated are reinvested back into the port to improve the facilities for future generations.
With Aberdeen South Harbour complete, Port of Aberdeen is the largest berthage port in Scotland. The new facility, next to the Energy Transition Zone, can accommodate vessels up to 300 m in length, with port users and customer benefiting from an additional 1.5 km of deepwater berths, to a maximum depth of 15 m, 125,000 sq m of flexible project areas and significant heavy lift capacity. The expanded port is a recognised development under the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4.
The expansion project was significantly self-funded by the port with valuable support from the European Investment Bank, Scottish National Investment Bank, Scottish Enterprise, and Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council through the Aberdeen City Region Deal.
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “Port of Aberdeen is the UK’s oldest business and we’re now officially opening the country’s newest harbour. Aberdeen’s expanded port promises a vibrant future for energy, trade, and tourism across Scotland on the road to net zero, unlocking new jobs and attracting investment to the region.”
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said: “As the largest new marine infrastructure project in the UK, Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour will have a huge positive impact on the North East of Scotland and will be a national asset of strategic significance to Scotland.
“The Port of Aberdeen is at the forefront of the vital transition to net zero. It will be key to helping pivot our economy towards new decarbonised technologies and fuels, not least in facilitating the growth in offshore wind and developing tidal wave research.
“Aberdeen South Harbour has the potential to capitalise on the existing, strong energy supply chain located in the North East of Scotland.”
Scottish Enterprise CEO, Adrian Gillespie, said: “Scottish Enterprise has worked closely with Port of Aberdeen on the South Harbour development for the last decade, providing financial and other forms of support from concept to delivery. It is fantastic to see this transformational project completed and ready for business.
“Economic diversification and the energy transition will be key to the future success of the North East, a region which is hugely important to Scotland’s energy ambitions, creating economic growth, inward investment and sustainable jobs for generations to come.
“The new South Harbour will be right at the centre of this through its role in tourism, trade and the evolving energy sector, including the Energy Transition Zone.”
