Renewable energy business triggers busiest period at the Port of Ayr in 25 years

The Port of Ayr has recorded one of its busiest days in the last 25 years, with five vessels calling at the port last Thursday.

Overall, it was one of the busiest weeks in Ayr in a generation, with 10 vessels calling at the port – four of those for renewable energy projects. The last time the port saw this level of activity was when 1.1 million tonnes of open cast coal was exported through Ayr in 1991.

The boost in ship numbers is a result of growing demand to serve wind farm projects underway in the south-west of Scotland.

In the past week, wind turbine components were delivered for three separate renewable energy projects:

• The MV Abis Bergen and Fehn Pollux delivered wind turbine blades for the Brockloch Rig wind farms;
• The MV Arctic Rock arrived with wind turbine blades for the Dersalloch wind farm; and
• The MV Dragonera delivered tower sections and the nacelle for the Minnygap wind farm.

Stuart Cresswell, Port Manager for Ayr and Troon, 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 added: “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.”