27 July, 2007

REQUESTS for pilot services at Lerwick harbour have more than doubled during the first six months of the year, the port authority revealed yesterday (Thursday).

The news that pilots were asked to escort vessels 622 times in or out of the harbour reflects the market trend towards larger but fewer vessels, chief executive Sandra Laurenson said.

Figures released by the port show that the amount of cargo shipped in and out of Lerwick between January and June increased by 11.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Continuing hydrocarbon activity both east and west of Shetland saw the arrival of oil related vessels rise by 24.6 per cent to 280.

The total number of arrivals, at 2,320, was down 4.1 per cent while the tonnage reduced by 10.5 per cent to 4.6 million gross tonnes

Meanwhile fish landings at Lerwick harbour have recovered from a dip following the sudden closure of the mackerel fishing season last year.

Landings rose by 18.6 per cent to 60,842 tonnes during the first six months of this year.

At the same time, the value of landings was up by almost 20 per cent at £28 million.

Whitefish landings remained unchanged at 4,771 tonnes, but their value rose by 3.7 per cent to £6.9 million. The average price per tonne of whitefish was £1,448.

The pelagic sector saw landings rise by 12 per cent to 25,706 tonnes, but its £16 million value only represents an increase of eight per cent.

Landings at Shetland's fishmeal plant at Heogan, on Bressay, rose significantly by 21.6 per cent to 30,232 tonnes. But its £5.2 million value marked an increase of 60 per cent.

Ms Laurenson said: "Oil-related imports, deliveries of fuel, frozen fish exports and general shipments were the main features of the upturn in cargo, and there was another strong performance by the fishing industry. With encouraging signs across the sectors, a busy second half of the year is expected."