Aberdeen Harbour elects new chief executive amid ongoing expansion

Aberdeen Harbour, a marine support center for the oil and gas industry, has elected a new chief executive officer.

Aberdeen Harbour said on Monday that Michelle Handforth was chosen as the port’s new chief executive.

Handforth has 20 years of board and leadership experience in global, multi-site businesses, and was recruited to succeed Colin Parker as the chief executive.

Alistair Mackenzie, chairman of the Aberdeen Harbour Board, said: “Michelle is joining Aberdeen Harbour at an incredibly important time for the organization. Construction works are well underway at the Aberdeen South Harbour site, while we continue to focus on providing second-to-none services and facilities for our customers in the existing harbor. Michelle will be tasked with overseeing the successful completion of project works and in facilitating business growth in the existing facilities.”

The expansion, which will afford existing customers the opportunity to diversify and expand their interests, is also expected to attract new customers and markets to the port, including a more significant share of the available cruise vessel fleet and larger more cost-effective commercial vessels.

Since work began on site in April 2017, Dragados UK completed approximately 200 meters of north breakwater, as well as the first round of dredging activity.

The new chief executive Handforth added: “After being offered the post towards the end of last year, I’ve been very much looking forwarding to getting started at Aberdeen Harbour board.

“Colin Parker’s work here at the port, which spans over 30 years, has left a lasting legacy for us all. He oversaw a number of significant infrastructure projects, which modernized the facilities available to our customers, including the development of Torry Marine Base and the planning of the ongoing harbor expansion into Nigg Bay.”

It is worth mentioning that the economic development agency Scottish Enterprise contributed £11.7 million ($15.3 M) in July 2017 towards Aberdeen Harbour’s £350 million ($457.4 M) expansion, supporting the creation of 2,300 jobs by 2026.