Renewables and fishing spearhead busy start to 2023 at Lerwick port

Figures from Lerwick Port Authority’s quarterly report for the first three months of 2023 have shown an increase in activity with some 1,047 vessel arrivals across January, February and March. That is a 16 per cent year-on-year increase.

Those vessels represented a gross tonnage of some 1.98 million, a 10 per cent rise on the equivalent period in 2022.

The delivery and storage of parts for the under-construction 103-turbine Viking Wind Farm provided a major boost to harbour activity.

The large blades for the turbines have been transported by sea to Lerwick on cargo ships, contributing to an overall cargo volume of some 185,894 tonnes – similar to 2022.

There was also a nine per cent increase in the number of fishing vessels arriving to 560 in the first quarter of 2023. White fish landings were down but the tonnage of pelagic species such as mackerel and herring was up on last year.

Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Calum Grains said: “We are delighted to see harbour activity up and welcome the boost which the arrival of the Viking Wind Farm components has provided in this first quarter.

“Work continues to support all the sectors traditionally serviced by the port, including ongoing efforts to attract further decommissioning projects and the plan to build an ultra-deep-water quay at Dales Voe.”

Passenger arrivals rose by 37 per cent to 24,031 people in a period that concluded prior to the start of the 2023 cruise ship season, which is expected to see a record number of visitors stopping off in Shetland.

As the cruise ship industry bounced back following the upheaval caused by Covid-19, 2022 saw a total of 58,450 passengers visiting Shetland across 94 vessel visits.

Across April and May this year over 40 cruise ships visited Lerwick, with a record-breaking total in excess of 140 visits expected over the course of the 2023 season.

The harbour will also welcome more than 50 vessels during the four-day Tall Ships Races in the final week of July.

• You can learn more about Shetland’s various industrial sectors and business investment opportunities here.