The multimillion-pound expansion of Aberdeen harbour has been given an £11.7 million boost.
Scottish Enterprise is contributing the money towards the £350 million project to improve facilities at the site by 2020.
The expansion will benefit the oil industry, the renewable energy market, tourism from the growing numbers of visiting cruise ships and also create 2,300 jobs.
The work is also being funded with a loan of up to £175 million from the European Investment Bank, and £11 million from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils, as part of the area’s city region deal.
Nicola Sturgeon announced the funding during a visit to Aberdeen yesterday. She said: “Aberdeen Harbour is Scotland’s main oil and gas port and one of Europe’s leading marine support centres for offshore energy.
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“This funding will open up significant opportunities to diversify and exploit the rapid growth in cruise tourism and the renewables markets in Scotland.
“We are already seeing Scottish-based firms seizing decommissioning opportunities, and we are committed to supporting Scottish industry to win further contracts.”
Colin Parker, chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour, said the funding from Scottish Enterprise was “immensely significant” as it demonstrated recognition that the project was of national and international importance. He added: “The facilities developed will transform the port’s ability to accommodate the trend for larger vessels across a range of industries, encouraging commercial diversification and future-proofing the port’s ability to support large-scale marine operations.”
Maggie McGinlay, Scottish Enterprise director of energy, said: “The project will not only help sustain growth in the oil and gas sector, but will help to maximise opportunities from the cruise tourism and renewables sectors.”