WASHINGTON: Associated British Ports (ABP) has acquired 3.1 acres of commercial property strategically located adjacent to the Port of Ayr, as part of plans to expand its Scottish ports.
ABP has obtained the industrial site from local company Bricktrain which currently houses 14 tenants. The acquired site is expected to provide room for expansion with additional office and warehouse units to be made available for rent.
Ayr port manager and Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce president Stuart Cresswell said: “This property will provide the Port of Ayr with a mix of industrial space for local businesses, as well as a range of flexibly-sized office units on York Street, all of which are within close proximity to the port.”
ABP had invested an amount of over £3.7m over the last four years, on the Port of Ayr which witnessed the construction of Ailsa Craig. Port of Ayr with ABP’s other Scottish port, Troon, accounts for about £40m contribution to the Scottish economy annually and is said to generate 500 UK employment opportunities. ABP Port of Ayr contributes to Scottish Agriculture and the Scottish Whisky industry by procuring imports of almost 200,000t of agribulks annually.
“This property will provide the Port of Ayr with a mix of industrial space for local businesses, as well as a range of flexibly-sized office units on York Street, all of which are within close proximity to the port.” The port is said to be a key component of the Scottish open cast mining industry, handling large volumes of coal each year.
It is also the primary import location for wind turbines housing the renewable energy projects underway in South West Scotland. The Port of Ayr and the Port of Troon had reported handling an excess of 400,000t of cargo in 2015. Last month, ABP announced £5m investment in a purpose-built Marine Control Centre at the Port of Grimsby.
