Scotland's Marine Economic Statistics 2019

Statistics on the economic contributions of Scotland’s marine sectors in 2019. Includes a time series of Gross Value Added (GVA), turnover and employment for marine sectors. The supporting documents include: accessible tables, a summary topic sheet and a pdf version of the publication.

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8. Construction of water projects and water transport service activities

8.1 Introduction

For ease of description, in this report the joint industry sector will be referred to as ‘Marine construction and water transport services’.

The two industry classes 42.91: ‘Construction of water projects’ and 52.22: ‘Service activities incidental to water transportation’ have been combined so that the data is non-disclosive. Marine construction and water transport services are key for connectivity and supporting growth for the marine economy.

The SABS category of Construction of water projects covers the construction of:

  • waterways, harbour and river works, pleasure ports (marinas), locks, etc.,
  • dams and dykes,
  • dredging of waterways.

It excludes project management activities related to civil engineering works.

The SABS category of Service activities incidental to water transportation includes:

  • activities related to water transport of passengers, animals or freight,
  • operation of terminal facilities such as harbours and piers and operation of waterway locks etc.,
  • navigation, pilotage and berthing activities,
  • lighterage (the transference of cargo by means of a lighter), salvage activities,
  • lighthouse activities.

This class excludes cargo handling and operation of marinas.

8.2 Key economic points

In 2019, marine construction and water transport services generated £436 million in GVA: accounting for 0.29% of the overall Scottish economy, and 9% of the marine economy.

Marine construction and water transport services provided employment for 4,300 workers, contributing 0.16% to total Scottish employment, and 6% of the marine economy employment.

8.3 Construction and water transport services – trends

Marine construction and water transport services GVA and employment both fell by 12% between 2018 and 2019.

The longer term trends have been variable, but generally increasing. Construction and water transport services GVA increased by 64% and employment increased by 48% between 2010 and 2019.

Table 11: Construction and water transport services GVA, turnover, employment and GVA per head, 2010 to 2019 (2019 prices)
Year GVA (millions of pounds) Turnover (millions of pounds) Employment headcount (thousands) GVA per head (pounds)
2010 266 480 2.9 91,671
2011 364 632 3.3 110,379
2012 388 909 3.1 125,167
2013 573 1,092 3.9 146,888
2014 516 894 3.3 156,305
2015 539 919 3.8 141,798
2016 449 713 4.0 112,238
2017 637 780 4.4 144,729
2018 497 726 4.9 101,407
2019 436 725 4.3 101,302
Figure 11: Construction and water transport services GVA and employment, 2010 to 2019 (2019 prices)

Geographic breakdown of construction and water transport services are not readily available.

Contact

Email: MarineAnalyticalUnit@gov.scot

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