Port of Aberdeen welcomed senior leaders from Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Department for Transport (DfT) to highlight the port’s essential role in promoting sustainable economic growth and advancing the energy transition.
The port’s CEO, Bob Sanguinetti, and chair, Roy Buchan, welcomed the delegation which included MCA chair, Lord Stevens, CEO, Virginia McVea, director of UK Technical Maritime Services, Fraser Heasley, DfT director general. Dr. Rannia Leontaridi OBE FRSA, and director of UK Customer Maritime Services, Lars Lippuner.
Discussions included the opportunities and challenges involved in advancing the next generation of offshore wind.
Port of Aberdeen shared its plans to dredge parts of South Harbour to optimise the facility for floating offshore wind projects and highlighted its approach to managing the shift from oil and gas to renewables-focused operations and maintenance.
The delegation visited Port of Aberdeen’s Marine Operations Centre, where they were welcomed by the port’s Harbour Master and the vessel traffic services team. The visit highlighted the team’s essential role in maintaining seamless maritime activities, especially as the port scales up efforts to support offshore wind projects and the broader energy transition.
The visit concluded with a tour of South Harbour, where the delegation saw firsthand how the port’s expanded infrastructure is fostering diversification across energy, trade, and tourism. They also learned about the port’s progress in implementing its award-winning 2040 net zero strategy.
Bob Sanguinetti said: “We were pleased to host key representatives from MCA and DfT, sharing insights into our current and upcoming projects that position the port as a key enabler for offshore wind development and decarbonisation efforts.
“As we continue to support our valued oil and gas customers and position Aberdeen for the upcoming INTOG and ScotWind offshore wind projects, collaboration with both government and industry will be essential to ensuring a successful energy transition.”