Pinsent Masons to advise on £410m Aberdeen Harbour expansion

Aberdeen Harbour has appointed Pinsent Masons as legal adviser for its proposed £410 million expansion plans.

Aberdeen Harbour plans to create a second quayside facility at Nigg Bay

The international law firm will advise the harbour on procurement, construction, funding, planning, environmental and property issues relating to the project, located south of the existing Aberdeen Harbour.

The Nigg Bay facility would meet future demand for deep berthing space for oil and gas and renewables sector vessels and could attract larger cruise ships to Aberdeen, Pinsent Masons said.

A report commissioned by Scottish Enterprise said last year that the plans to create a second quayside facility for Europe’s leading oil industry port at Nigg could boost the Scottish economy by almost £1 billion a year.

Roger Connon, head of Pinsent Masons' Aberdeen office

Aberdeen Harbour chief executive Colin Parker said: “Aberdeen Harbour Board are progressing their feasibility study including the required consents for this ambitious project, which it is estimated would generate an extra £1bn for the Scottish economy and create up to 3,000 new jobs.

“The appointment of Pinsent Masons is a crucial element in the delivery of our ongoing requirements for this strategic project.”

Leading the Pinsent Masons team will be infrastructure specialist Drysdale Graham, supported by the head of the firm’s Aberdeen office, Roger Connon, construction law expert Michael Allan and Stuart Cairns, who is the firm’s UK lead on public procurement.

Graham said: “Our previous experience of harbour and marine-related work, allied to a proven track record on procurement and significant infrastructure projects, proved to be an appealing proposition to Aberdeen Harbour Board and we look forward to help delivering this exciting project on time and within budget.”

Connon added: “We made a conscious decision to hire the best available legal talent which, added to the strength of our existing energy and maritime teams, is clearly paying off. The Aberdeen Harbour expansion project award ensures we end 2015 on a high and puts Pinsent Masons in strong position to bid for other landmark infrastructure projects across Scotland.”

Pinsent Masons is also advising the preferred bidder on the £550 million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, which is set for completion in winter 2017, and on the £800m Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth.