Port of Ayr enjoys busiest week in 25 years – Herald

Ian McConnell, Group Business Editor

THE Port of Ayr has enjoyed its busiest week in a quarter-century, buoyed
by the shipping of wind turbine components for projects in south-west
Scotland, its owner has revealed.

Associated British Ports said yesterday that, last Thursday alone, five
vessels had called at Ayr.

A company spokesman estimated this would have been one of the port’s
busiest-ever days.

He noted that the Port of Ayr had achieved its busiest week in 25 years.

ABP noted 10 vessels had called in over the past week – four for renewable
energy projects.

And it declared that the last time the port had seen this level of activity
was when 1.1 million tonnes of open cast coal was exported through Ayr in
1991.

ABP said: “Today, as the UK energy industry transitions to renewable energy
sources, the boost in ship numbers has been a result of growing demand to
serve wind farm projects under way in the south-west of Scotland.”

The company said that, over the course of the week, wind turbine components
had been delivered for three separate renewable energy projects.

ABP noted that the MV Abis Bergen and MV Fehn Pollux had delivered wind
turbine blades for the Brockloch Rig wind farms.

It added that the MV Arctic Rock called with wind turbine blades for the
Dersalloch wind farm.

And the MV Dragonera delivered tower sections and the nacelle for the
Minnygap wind farm.

It noted that the Port of Ayr had on Thursday, as well as the delivery of
onshore wind turbine components, also handled coal and timber cargoes.

Port manager for Ayr and Troon Stuart Cresswell said: “Along with our
traditional agribulk and mineral business, the wind turbine contracts we
have secured this year have provided a fantastic boost to the port and all
our local supporting contractors and suppliers.”

ABP short sea ports director Andrew Harston said: “Following our success in
supporting additional cruise calls this year, we are now actively
supporting the development of more renewable power in south-west Scotland.

“The location of ABP’s Ayrshire ports places them in close proximity to
these onshore wind farms. The ports of Ayr and Troon are equipped and ready
to work with renewable energy companies to serve their projects.”

He added: “This has been a strong period for our two Scottish ports. ABP is
continually investing in the ports to underpin the important…role they
fulfil in serving the needs of the Ayrshire region and the west coast of
Scotland.”