SCOTTISH Labour’s Leader, Anas Sarwar MSP, today (7 June 2024) visited Port of Aberdeen’s transformational £420 million Aberdeen South Harbour facility. The expanded port is set to deliver a multi-billion pound economic and jobs boost for Scotland, unlocking new opportunities in energy, trade, tourism.
Welcomed by Port of Aberdeen’s Chair, Roy Buchan, and CEO, Bob Sanguinetti, Mr Sarwar toured the state-of-the-art facility. The new harbour positions Aberdeen at the heart of the next generation of offshore windfarms in Scottish waters.
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Mr Sarwar was briefed on the port’s significance as a national strategic asset, handling 43% of Scotland’s total vessel traffic, and its critical role in driving sustainable economic growth and energy transition.
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, increasing the number of jobs supported by 45% to 17,500.
During the visit, Mr Sarwar walked the quayside at South Harbour, seeing up the port’s support for activity on oil and gas, renewables, cargo, and decommissioning in action and learning how the port is delivering its award-winning 2040 net zero strategy.
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “We were pleased to host Mr Sarwar and discuss our ongoing and future projects. It is evident that our full potential, benefitting both Scotland and the UK, hinges on a carefully managed energy transition.
“We support Labour’s commitment to investing £1.8 billion in Britain’s port infrastructure and hope this level of investment remains a priority, irrespective of the party in power at Westminster in the coming weeks.”
Anas Sarwar said: “I am delighted to visit the Port of Aberdeen to meet workers and management and learn more about the work being done here.
“Ports like Aberdeen are vital to our economic future and that is why Labour is committed to investing in ports to support our economy.
“Scottish Labour’s bold plans will deliver jobs, investment and growth for the North East and we are committed to working with business and unions to deliver the change we need.”
