Marine Scotland announced the award of two marine licenses in support of Aberdeen Harbour’s major plans to expand its facilities into Nigg Bay, to the south of the existing harbor.
Issued under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, the licenses cover both construction and dredging operations associated with the project, and form part of a wider consenting strategy, which included planning permission in principle, awarded by Aberdeen City Council in May this year, and a Harbour Revision Order, which was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 28 October and must be approved by the Parliament before it can be made.
Colin Parker, chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board said; “The award of this statutory approval marks an important milestone in the Aberdeen Harbour Expansion Project and takes us one step closer to commencing construction of the new, expansive facilities.
If final approval is given to the plans, the resulting development will help ensure the North East of Scotland remains the home of globally significant supply chains, anchors decommissioning activity in Scotland, and puts Aberdeen City & Shire on the map as a major cruise ship destination for many decades to come.”