Peterhead Port Authority - Smith Embankment Quay new article

Peterhead’s new deepwater quay opens on time and on budget

11 October 2010

Peterhead Port Authority’s new all-weather deepwater Smith Quay has opened for business - on time and within budget.

The £33.5 million project - which can accommodate vessels up to 180 metres in length, has 16,000 square metres of work area - will create up to 60 full-time jobs and contribute an estimated £12 million a year to the local economy.

Work on Smith Embankment began 18 months ago after Peterhead Port Authority secured £5 million from the Scottish government and European Fisheries Fund and has involved extensive land reclamation and dredging to achieve a water depth of 10 metres.

The first vessel to use Smith Embankment, North Star Shipping’s offshore supply vessel Grampian Talisman, berthed on 8 October 2010.

The Port Authority is confident that the new facility will not only meet the demands of the pelagic fleet and reinforce Peterhead’s position as the UK’s premier fishing port but also attract new business from the offshore and renewable energy sectors.

Smith Embankment’s 10-metre depth and impressive heavy-lift capabilities are also expected to attract business from the growing oil and gas decommissioning sector. Lifts of up to 500 tonnes are possible from the quay’s heavy lift pad, while modules of up to 2,500 tonnes can be skidded ashore.

A high-capacity electrical connection point allows vessels to connect to a 350Kva supply and turn off their main engines, so saving on fuel costs and reducing emissions.

Peterhead Port Authority is confident this latest expansion will lead to a 20 per cent increase in turnover by the end of 2012. The authority recorded a £7.2 million turnover for its last financial year ending 31 December 2009.

Grampian Talisman at Smith Embankment quay

Above: North Star Shipping's Grampian Talisman offshore supply ship was the first vessel to berth at the new Smith Embankment quay in October 2010

Authority Chief Executive John Wallace said: “The completion of Smith Embankment is an exciting development for the port of Peterhead and allows us to further strengthen our ties with existing clients while also targeting new markets.

“I congratulate my team and board, the contractors - Westminster Dredging and RJ McLeod - and engineers Fraenkel for their dedication and workmanship in delivering this legacy development for Peterhead.

“Smith Embankment represents a state-of-the-art facility for the pelagic fishing industry and commercial interests. The deepwater, all-weather berths with supporting infrastructure elevates Peterhead to a prime position to capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Peterhead Port Authority Convener Bill Mackie said: “We’re delighted to see this fantastic facility completed on time and within budget. The opening of the Smith Embankment berth is a hugely positive step for Peterhead and the local community.”

Above: The Seatrade Nova Bretagne bulk carrier berthed at Smith Embankment quay

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