Another busy year ahead for Dales Marine

With 42 dockings at its Aberdeen facility in 2009, Dales’ 112m x 21m dry dock experienced one of its busiest years yet.

22 vessels, including nine vessels from one owner, are lined up for Aberdeen in 2010, accounting for more than half the facility’s capacity. Four vessels are booked so far for Fraserburgh.

The company recently expanded operations by leasing a dry dock at the Port of Leith and a workshop at Montrose. It is now operating the 168m x 21.3m x 7.7m Imperial dry dock at Leith on an initial 10-year lease and is to invest around £250,000 in an upgrade and overhaul.

Offshore vessels, ferries, tugs and commercial shipping are among the potential users of the Imperial Dock where 30-40 jobs could be created in the first year of operation. Other markets to be targeted include RFA ships and fishing vessels.

Dales Marine already uses Montrose Harbour to carry out work afloat when the port of Aberdeen is particularly busy. Dales Marine also undertakes contracts afloat at various ports and makes use of the dry dock at Fraserburgh on an ad hoc basis.