Question reference: S5W-07242
- Asked by: Mairi Gougeon, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 15 February 2017
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 1 March 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic impact on ports and harbours from the downturn in the oil and gas industry.
Answer
Our ports are forward looking and adaptable and seek to diversify in times of downturn in certain cargos/business areas.
Projects such as the Aberdeen Harbour expansion, expected to start on site in April /May, will allow the port to access new markets and provide enhanced services to existing customers as well as providing a significant boost to the local economy.
The North Sea will have a bright future if the focus of industry and Government is on maximising economic recovery, efficiency of extraction and encouraging new investment. As the fields reach the end of their economic lives, decommissioning is an economic opportunity in its own right.
That is why we launched the £5 million Decommissioning Challenge Fund, focused on innovation in salvage and investment in ports and harbours to facilitate disposal activity.