A £350 million expansion project at Aberdeen Harbour is set to receive a £5.5m funding boost from Aberdeenshire Council.

Members of the council's Infrastructure Services Committee will be asked next week to approve the funding contribution along with the Aberdeen Harbour Business Case. The Business Case sets out the strategic, commercial and economic case for the project and the need for the funding to support port infrastructure.

To accommodate existing and future demands for harbour services in the region, including support for decommissioning, offshore renewables, large cruise liners and a bigger Northern Isles ferry, Aberdeen Harbour Board is expanding into the Bay of Nigg, south of the existing harbour

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Land-based construction, road strengthening and breakwater construction work on the multi-million pound scheme began earlier this year, with a completion date set for June 2020.

A key project of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, the expansion includes a commitment of up to £11m in total from Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City councils to fund supporting infrastructure.

If councillors agree, the contribution is expected to be matched by Aberdeen City Council and the £11m used for supporting infrastructure.

The council's Deputy Leader and chair of Infrastructure Services Committee, Peter Argyle, said: "Our Regional Economic Strategy recognises the importance of investment in the region's ports and harbours and this proposal to contribute to the infrastructure element of the harbour expansion project aligns with the aims of that strategy/

"Working with our partners, including Opportunity North East, Aberdeen City Council and the Scottish and UK Governments, the strengthening of Aberdeen Harbour's offering under the City Region Deal is an important element of a wider strategic vision which will maximise its impact on the wider regional economy."

Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Jim Gifford, added: "The benefits to Aberdeenshire of the Aberdeen Harbour expansion as part of the City Region Deal are likely to be very high, which is why this financial support is proposed."

(LM/MH)