Record cargo leaves Aberdeen harbour for West Africa

Monday, Oct 19, 2009

Aberdeen Harbour saw the largest consignment of cargo this year leave the port, en route to West Africa.
 
The record 5000 tonne consignment, on board the UAL Africa and managed by West African stevedores Sea-Cargo, is scheduled for the ports of Onne in Nigeria and Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, as well as calling in to Angola and Ghana.
 
One of two regular monthly sailings from Aberdeen to West Africa, this latest load out of equipment and materials includes more than 2000 tonnes of pipe and 1100 tonnes of concrete mats, to support pipe-laying and production activities within the region’s offshore oil and gas industry.
 
Colin Parker, chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour comments: “The links between Aberdeen and West Africa have been extremely successful with the UAL fleet completing at least two sailings per month for the last five years. This latest shipment is excellent news for the route, as well as demonstrating the port’s wider role in the global energy sector.”
 
Sea-Cargo’s West African coordinator Peter Czerniakiewicz said: “We are grateful to a core of loyal customers for their support of Sea-Cargo and Universal Africa Lines. The route is a very important one for the industry and we are delighted to have surpassed record tonnage on the UAL Africa.”
 
With vessel and cargo tonnages holding up consistently over the last six months, this latest announcement highlights the important role Aberdeen Harbour plays within the energy industry.
 
“To maintain this level of service and activity we must constantly reinvest in the port to ensure that we continue to provide world-class services, such as extensive storage and quay-side lay down areas, as well as deep-water berths to support the larger vessels,” continues Colin Parker.
 
Aberdeen Harbour is one of the UK’s busiest ports and the centre of activity for the energy industry’s marine operations in North-west Europe. With trading links to more than 35 countries across the world, the port is a key regional resource and a vital part of Northern Scotland’s infrastructure.
 
With a wide range of industry sectors contributing to record annual traffic figures, Aberdeen Harbour handles over 24 million tonnes of shipping and cargo exceeding five million tonnes, worth £1.5 billion. Activity at the port generates over £420 million to the region’s economy each year and helps sustain around 11,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

Source:Fifth Ring