SOLID FIRST HALF FOR SCOTLAND’S PREMIER LOG-HANDLING PORTS
Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Ports of Ayr and Troon have had a solid first half of 2005, as they continue to benefit from the buoyant Scandinavian log-export market. Together with the ongoing success in handling logs from Argyll and Arran, this guarantees the ports’ position as Scotland’s premier log-handling facility.
The first six months to June also saw the profitable handling of agribulks, minerals and scrap metal through the two ports, while Ayr continues to enjoy a resurgence in the handling of export coal cargoes. Troon has maintained its position as a major Irish Sea ferry port, with P&O Irish Sea operating both a popular passenger fast-ferry service and a daily freight service from the port.
Concerning improvements to the port estates, there has been progress in the development of the former Ailsa-Troon shipyard site at the Port of Troon, which was acquired by ABP in 2002. The slipway building was demolished earlier this year, while the former shipyard buildings at the port have been refurbished to provide an additional facility for Alexanders’ Sawmills. The dry-dock, which was reactivated in November 2004 as part of ABP's drive to resurrect ship-repair at Troon, has been put in use, providing hull surveying and repairs, engine/auxiliary machinery surveying and repair, and damage and voyage repairs.
In February, wind turbines were imported through Ayr for the first time. As well as boosting sustainable energy in the area, the importation of the turbines also saw some of the biggest ships ever to dock at the port. In total, fifteen 1.3-megawatt (MW) wind turbines, destined for the Artfield Fell wind-farm in Dumfries and Galloway, passed through the port, while fifty-two 2.3MW wind turbines for Hadyard Hill wind-farm, South Ayrshire, are still in the process of being imported. Scottish and Southern Energy, one of the largest energy companies in the UK, manages both operations.
Alastair MacFarlane, ABP Port Manager, Ayr & Troon, said: “The arrival of these turbines demonstrates the great business potential of ABP’s Port of Ayr. It reflects our expertise at handling large-scale project cargoes and the benefit that comes with our geographical location in relation to the proposed wind-farm sites in the West of Scotland.”
Looking ahead, John Fitzgerald, ABP Port Director, Short-Sea Ports, said: “ABP’s Scottish ports are renowned for their flexible working practices and their extensive experience in handling a diverse range of cargoes, which helps guarantee their success for the future. They are in prime position, and are perfectly equipped, for the handling of log cargoes, and the handling of wind turbines this year shows their adaptability to meet customer demand.”
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