The latest activity report from Lerwick Port Authority in Shetland has confirmed a significant increase in traffic across sectors in the first half of 2024.
“Vessel arrivals were up 6% at 2,586, including a 10% rise in fishing boats, reflecting improved numbers and landings across whitefish and pelagic sectors, and a 20% jump in oil vessels compared to the same period last year,” said Lerwick Port Authority.
“The tonnage of vessels – at 7,959,689 gross tonnes – showed a 33% increase.
“Offshore industry tonnage, at 667,377 gross tonnes, was up 62%, which includes shipments for Equinor/Ithaca Energy, for the Rosebank field development west of Shetland, and decommissioning projects using the recently- completed Phoenix Decom facility at Greenhead Base.
“Oil-related cargo was up 34% to 18,752 tonnes.”
Overall cargo for the six months to the end of June was 409,799 tonnes – down 3%.
There was a reduction in general cargo compared against the same period in 2023, which included the arrival of Viking Wind Farm components, but this was partially offset by an increase in oil-related cargo plus roll-on/roll-off cargo from the Lerwick to Aberdeen-Kirkwall routes.
Passenger numbers on ferries on these routes and on cruise ships visiting Lerwick increased by 35% to 146,535. Over 36,000 visitors in May set a new cruise record for the busiest month yet for the port.
Lerwick is more than three-quarters through the 2024 cruise schedule, with 25 vessels yet to arrive in what is set to be an extended, record season.
There were 109,493 boxes of whitefish landed at the port between January to June 2024, which was a 5% increase on the same six-month period last year.
The pelagic sector’s autumn herring season is underway, with developments planned to encourage future landings.
Reflecting the harbour’s busier six months, vessel pilotage movements were up 41% at 612, with the tonnage of vessels piloted rising by 62% to 8,649,189 gross tonnes.
Lerwick Port Authority CEO Calum Grains said: “The increased activity across various sectors and the opportunities for the Shetland supply chain were outstanding features of the period.
“Coupled with the recently announced next phase of port developments, the performance underpins future operations.
“New capital projects will position Lerwick to enhance support for the fishing, energy and cruise sectors.”