THE transformation of Fraserburgh Harbour, costing £300 million, has advanced significantly with the successful completion of its technical feasibility study.
This grand plan for the port is anticipated to create up to 1,121 full-time jobs and contribute to the expansion of the town’s economy. The project is expected to inject an additional £366 million over the next 50 years into the local economy, generating £8.6 million annually starting from 2045.
The proposed changes, aimed at modernising and diversifying the harbour, include the construction of more breakwaters and a new deepwater basin, along with over 12 acres of versatile waterfront space.
Additionally, there will be an extra dry dock capable of accommodating vessels up to 328 feet long, along with enhanced access to the current Balaclava and Faithlie quayside areas.
Pamela Neri, the Harbour Development Manager, emphasised that the completion of these plans is crucial for the future of the town’s fishing industry, which has a history stretching back more than two centuries.
The project is projected to have a significant and transformative effect on the harbour, the local community, and the broader region.
The Harbour must demonstrate that there is a market demand for the development, and funding for the masterplan will begin with a commercial business case. Following this, there might be a need for commercial loans and government funding. The Harbour management has been in discussions with the Scottish and UK governments, fishing industry representatives, and offshore wind developers.
Arch Henderson, a maritime engineering specialist, has finished its technical feasibility study, which outlines the new south harbour and the enhancements to the existing harbour.
Fraserburgh serves as a bustling fishing port, a key point for the landing of pelagic species, mainly mackerel and herring. The harbour is home to 11% of the Scottish fishing fleet, ranking second only to Shetland, and more than twice the number of Peterhead. Furthermore, Fraserburgh is a major hub for fish processing, employing 12% of its workforce in this sector.
Fraserburgh is also responsible for 41% of all fish processing jobs in Aberdeenshire. Its waterfront facilities are also utilised by businesses in the offshore renewable energy, vessel repair and maintenance, and other related sectors.
Pamela Neri, Fraserburgh Harbour’s development manager, said: “Now is the time for industry and government to assist us in taking this major project to the next level.
“The fishing industry has been at the heart of Fraserburgh for over 200 years.
“As fishing vessels are set only to increase in size, and require deeper waters, it is critical that the structural development detailed in our masterplan will allow us to continue servicing those who berth and land at Fraserburgh, whilst attracting additional vessels to the harbour.
“The delivery of this project would not only benefit Fraserburgh and Aberdeenshire as a whole, but could also help provide the solution to port and vessel repair capacity constraints in the north-east of Scotland, problems made more acute by the future requirements of the offshore renewable energy sector and the drive to reduce carbon emissions.”
Port bosses believe the masterplan addresses key infrastructure challenges which will allow the harbour to better service and secure an ever-developing fishing industry and ensure it can optimise its proximity to ScotWind, Intog and decommissioning projects.
Pamela said: “The development of offshore wind in north-east Scotland has accelerated in the last year, and this sector will need increasing port capacity to support the planned expansions.
“The masterplan addresses the opportunities within the offshore wind sector which are inherent both in our location and in our renowned repair and maintenance facilities and supply chain businesses.”
“Already home to Ocean Winds’ Moray East Windfarm Operations and Maintenance base, there is significant potential for the harbour to develop in tandem with the UK renewable energy industry.
“In order to reach its potential as an operations and maintenance hub the harbour needs to develop.”
