Marine / Port authority points to bright future after releasing 2025 Lerwick harbour figures
LERWICK harbour saw a rise in cargo throughput in 2025, buoyed by subsea decommissioning projects which pushed oil-related cargo up.
However overall vessel arrivals, tonnage, cruise passengers and fishing vessels were all down across the year.
The Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) said it had supported a broad mix of maritime activity during 2025, with steady operational demand across several sectors underpinning a positive outlook for the year ahead.
During the 12 months to 31 December 2025 the port recorded 5,646 vessel arrivals – a decrease of three per cent compared with the previous year.
Total vessel tonnage was 16.4 million gross tonnes, down six per cent, while oil-related vessel activity dropped slightly by two per cent.
Fishing vessel arrivals also dropped by five per cent in 2025.
Despite these decreases, cargo throughput increased by three per cent to 911,440 tonnes last year.
Oil-related cargo rose significantly by 40 per cent to 66,927 tonnes, supported by subsea decommissioning projects and wider offshore operations served from Lerwick harbour.
Passenger numbers dropped by five per cent to 291,729, while cruise passengers reached 129,954 – a reduction of six per cent following a strong previous season.
In the fishing sector 218,832 boxes of whitefish were landed at Lerwick, down eight per cent on the previous year.
However the LPA said that market values for whitefish and pelagic fish remained very strong.
Pilotage movements increased by six per cent to 1,327, but the tonnage of vessels piloted decreased by 13 per cent to 16.9 million gross tonnes reflecting a shift in vessel size and activity.
LPA chief executive Captain Calum Grains said the harbour saw “consistent demand across our core sectors and strong operational performance.”
“While vessel numbers and tonnage have varied compared with the previous year, the overall picture demonstrates the strength of our diverse business with growth in cargo and continued activity across energy, fishing and cruise sectors,” he added.
The LPA is investing in its harbour infrastructure, including the final phase of dredging works to widen and deepen areas of the middle harbour at North Ness Channel, Mair’s Pier, Gremista and Dales Voe.
The project, due for completion in autumn 2026, will enhance access and operational capacity.
Captain Grains said they were “well placed to build on this performance and continue supporting the industries and communities that rely on Lerwick harbour.”
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