20 April, 2007

A SIGNIFICANT rise in offshore oil and gas activity plus a healthy increase in the value of fish has given Shetland's Lerwick Harbour a successful start to the year, with much more business expected for the rest of 2007.

The number of oil industry vessels using the port between January and March rose by 65.5 per cent to 149, with tonnage up by 70 per cent to 440,434 gross tonnes.

Lerwick Port Authority's deputy chief executive Sandra Laurenson said: "We have had a really busy winter with supply and anchoring boats. I think it is a reflection of what's happening offshore. It's a big upturn."

The value of fish continues to grow in Shetland with a 25 per cent increase in overall value to £22.7 million, despite a two per cent decrease in the volume landed.

White fish landings rose to 2,318 tonnes with a total value of £3.3 million. The average price per tonne was up 17 per cent to £1,454.

Landings to the SFP fish meal and oil plant on the island of Bressay were down on tonnage but up in value with the 14,062 tonnes landed being worth £3.4 million.

The total amount of cargo handled by the port was up by 16.1 percent to 214,271 tonnes compared to the same period last year.

This increase in oil traffic and the introduction of a larger cargo ship by Streamline has meant a lot more work for the harbour's three pilot vessels, who were called out on 321 occasions, up more than two thirds on last year.

While the total number of vessels calling at Lerwick rose 10.3 per cent to 1,086, the volume of shipping was down 2.5 per cent to just under 2 million gross tonnes.

Factors contributing to this include NorthLink's Hrossey ferry being in dry dock for upgrades to passenger facilities and Smyril Line's Norröna "virtually pulling out of Shetland", though she will return in May on a reduced programme.

Ms Laurenson said: "Because the Norröna is such a big ship it does make a big difference to the tonnage figures."

Due to these circumstances passenger numbers were down 12 per cent in the first quarter to 15,744.

"Expanded accommodation on the two NorthLink ferries, activity in the offshore, commercial and fishing sectors and the return of the Norröna and cruise ships from next month, will all contribute to a busy year," Ms Laurenson said.

"Particularly significant will be a huge decommissioned module being brought to Lerwick from the Frigg gas field in June."