Port of Aberdeen welcomes biggest ever vessel in 888 year history

Port of Aberdeen has hit a milestone after welcoming the biggest ever vessel in its almost 900 year history.

The 290-metre long Costa Favolosa cruise ship docked at the South Harbour from Kirkwall for a day-long stopover on Friday.

The Costa Cruises vessel, which has 13 decks and weighs 113,307 gross tonnes, is the latest arrival in a record-breaking season of 60 cruise calls, which has delivered a multi-million pound boost to the local economy.

The 4,000 guests and crew aboard received an authentic Scottish welcome from the Robert Gordon College Pipe Band, Alba Bagpipes, and VisitAberdeenshire’s “Welcome to Aberdeenshire” volunteers.

The Costa Cruises vessel has 13 decks and weighs 113,307 gross tonnes. Supplied

CEO, Bob Sanguinetti, Port of Aberdeen said the team was “delighted” to welcome the guests and crew.

“This is the latest demonstration of how we’re driving diversification in energy, trade and tourism with our expanded infrastructure.”

He added: “Activity levels at South Harbour have exceeded expectations, as we compete for a new scale of opportunities with prospective and existing customers.

“As the UK’s oldest existing business, we know what it means to adapt and rise to the challenges of tomorrow.

“Together, in partnership with government and industry, we can drive sustainable economic growth and energy transition.”

The port is currently working on plans to further enhance its offering, including a capital dredge project to deepen 750 metres of quayside to 14.5 metres chart datum.

The move is said to provide suitable depth for the majority of ScotWind and INTOG project turbine designs, positioning the port as a national strategic hub for offshore wind.

Russell Borthwick, chief executive, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is literally the biggest piece of evidence yet that the investment by Port of Aberdeen in the world class South Harbour facility and the work over the last few years by Team Aberdeen is seeing us established as a calling point of choice for UK and Northern European cruise operators.

“We are already welcoming tens of thousands of new visitors to the region every year as a result and this will grow exponentially by the end of the decade.”

Aberdeen City Council co-leader councillor Christian Allard said: “The arrival of the Costa Favolosa underlines Aberdeen’s growing importance as a cruise ship destination.

“Our city is being transformed – and both tourists and local businesses are enjoying the benefits.”