Aberdeen Harbour enjoyed another record year in 2008 with total vessel tonnage handled increasing to 24.17 million tonnes from 24.02 million tonnes in the previous year.

Cargo operations stayed above five million tonnes for the third successive year.

Harbour officials said a significant increase in scrap metal tonnages and growing oil-related traffic to various destinations, including West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico, contributed to an overall rise of 2.5% in commercial cargo exports.

Colin Parker, the chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour, said: "We are delighted to report another record-breaking year for the port, with 2009 also getting off to a promising start. The increased tonnage of vessels in 2008 and continuing high level of cargo throughput shows the importance of the port to a great many industries, and also highlights its significance within the north-east's transport infrastructure."

More than 100 offshore support vessels docked in Aberdeen during 2008. In order to accommodate an increasing number of ships, as well as supporting the larger vessels using the port, the board of Aberdeen Harbour said it was moving ahead with a £65m strategic development plan over the next five years to provide increased deep-water berthing and additional operational areas for cargo handling.

"The investment agreed by the board is vital to maintain this level of activity but also in growing the port so that we can support larger vessels and provide better dockside facilities for existing and potential port users," Parker added.

"The first stage in this strategy will see the upgrading of Torry Quay, the first phase of which is scheduled to commence later this year."

The port is also an important link between the UK mainland and the Northern Isles.

More than 130,000 passengers travelled between Aberdeen, Shetland and Orkney and 10 cruise vessels visited the port last year, linking the city to destinations such as Torshavn in the Faroe Islands and the Norwegian city of Bergen. Another 12 cruise ships are expected to call in at Aberdeen this year.

Earlier this week, Lerwick Harbour in Shetland announced it had handled a further increase in cargo last year, along with more vessels and higher landings of whitefish and seafood.