Associated British Ports

Dry Bulks

Ayr�s dry-bulk trades have increased significantly in recent years, and the port�s agribulks facilities have been expanded and modernised in line with this growth. The port�s Arran, Kintyre, Carrick and Jura Terminals, which provide a total of 18,000 sq m of storage for a range of dry bulks, receive imports from Scandinavia, the Mediterranean and mainland Europe. The port also offers bagging and blending facilities and handles bulk cargoes, such as seaweed, grain, aggregates, sand and animal feed.

Forest Products

As Scotland�s premier log-handling ports, Ayr and its sister port of Troon handle around 200,000 tonnes of forest products each year. Much of this timber is transported by ABP�s timberLINK service, an environmental initiative aimed at reducing timber movements by road and promoting short-sea transportation. In 2006, timberLINK was awarded a new four-year contract to continue its service, demonstrating the success and efficiency of this logistical solution.

General Cargo

A wide range of general cargo and scrap metals is handled at Ayr. Scrap-metal shipments of between 2,000 and 3,000 tonnes run on a regular basis from Ayr to Ireland and northern Spain.

The port is also ideally suited to handling special-project cargoes, such as heavy lifts or wind-energy support, and has over 17,000 sq m of storage for weather-sensitive cargoes, plus 2.7 ha of open storage.

Minerals & Ores

Ayr is a market leader in the handling of imported bulk materials for the Scottish glass-making industry. The 5,000 sq m Arran Terminal is used for the storage and onward distribution of this product.

Coal-export facilities are available at the port, which is rail served by two tracks. A fast and efficient coal train-loading service is also available, along with a fully mechanised wagon-discharge facility.

In addition, Ayr handles rock salt for local authorities, usually discharging 4,000-tonne shipments in less than four hours. Following a long-term agreement between ABP and Peacock Salt, a 3,000 sq m storage and distribution centre has been developed at the port, offering a range of salt products for various industrial applications.

Passengers & Cruises

The port is surrounded by spectacular scenery and many famous tourist attractions, such as Culzean Castle. Premier golf courses, including Royal Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick are nearby, making Ayr an ideal port of call for cruise liners. Ayr provides two modern, heavy-duty 23-m pontoons that accommodate up to two ships� tenders, allowing simultaneous embarking or disembarking to ensure the safe and swift transfer to large numbers of passengers. Special reception packages for cruise liners can be arranged and the port provides ample car parking and marshalling facilities.