The annual tonnage of shipping visiting Montrose has for the first time exceeded two million tonnes, underlining the port’s growing importance as a major North Sea service and cargo handling base.
Shipping tonnage totalled 2.08m tonnes in 2014, compared with 1.7m tonnes in 2013. The increase in tonnage reflects the broad spectrum of operators using the port that includes the oil & gas sectors, as well commercial vessels with cargoes such as pulp, scrap metal, fertiliser, grain and timber.
John Paterson, chief executive of Montrose Port Authority said: “We are delighted to have broken the two million tonnes barrier, which reinforces Montrose’s position as a leading service base for the energy sector, as well as an important import and export hub for a variety of cargoes.
“These figures come on the back of recent major investment by the port authority in upgrading our infrastructure.”
The most recent investment involved a £6m upgrade of berths six and seven on the north side of the port to ensure deep water berthing and enhanced quayside operational working space. The refurbished 260m long quay, which opened for business in October 2014, provides a neat complement to the £8.5m south quay development completed three years ago.
John Paterson added: “With a background in handling complex logistics projects and an integrated approach with port partner companies, Montrose Port Authority is now well placed for continued growth over the coming years.”
