News – July 16, 2008
The Press & Journal newspaper in the UK says three companies are battling to win a £32 million contract for a large scale upgrade of the Port of Peterhead.
“Peterhead Port Authority wants to build a 650ft quay and a 328ft breakwater at the Smith Embankment to meet the demands of the modern pelagic fleet, as well as lay the foundations for attracting lucrative decommissioning work for oil and gas rigs,” said Press & Journal, noting that the port expects to hear within weeks if they have been successful in gaining a £5million grant from the Scottish Government.
The tenders for the job, which will also involve deepening part of the harbour, have now come back and the authority board will consider the three bids next month.
The port’s chief executive John Wallace told the Press & Journal: “We are still confident the project can be put together and the funding can be found.”
The port is also waiting to hear if a harbour revision order, which is required before any work can start, has been granted.
The new quay and deepwater berthing facilities will provide the gateway for lucrative offshore decommissioning work, estimated to be worth £15 billion over the next 20 years.
The reports said the project now hinges on the £5million Scottish Government/Scottish Enterprise grant, after port bosses put together the bulk of | the £32million needed through a £9million loan, and £18million of its own money.