The Port of Dundee – Its Contributions and Challenges, by Andrew Blake, Harbourmaster
Thursday 21 January 2027 will also be our annual joint event with Dundee Heritage Trust and will be introduced by DHT Chairman, David Henry.
Dundee has grown up around its harbour which has always played a central part in the city’s development. Andrew Blake, employed by Forth Ports as Marine Manager Dundee, but better known as the ‘Harbour Master’, will give a fascinating and wide-ranging talk about the port of Dundee, covering on its history, its current footprint and planned activities.
Andrew was born into a maritime family in Hampshire and has always had salt-water in his veins. He completed his schooling in South Africa, ha emigrated there with his family. After school, he joined the South African Navy (SAN), spending a considerable portion of his career at sea and rising to command three ships of three different classes. In his final five years he was responsible for the acquisition of a core mine-warfare capability for the SAN. During this period he also undertook the duties of standby naval harbourmaster and pilot.
In his quest to get closer to ships and the sea, Andrew chose to look to his country of birth with its strong maritime heritage in order to best utilise his skill set. His love for island living immediately attracted him to the position of port marine safety and counter pollution manager in 2015 in the Orkney Islands. In August 2017, Andrew was appointed Ferry Services Manager overseeing the day to day operations of the internal ferry services. After four years in this role, especially with the stresses of the Covid 19 pandemic, Andrew sought to return to the ports environment and accepted a position with Forth Ports as the Marine Manager Dundee. This role sees him responsible for the marine team, pilotage service and all marine safety aspects of the port.
Over and above this role and following on from his training and tonnage in Simon’s Town, Andrew became a licensed marine pilot in the port of Dundee in 2024, the first employed pilot in Forth Ports. His tonnage continues to mount with the diverse and regular shipping traffic in the port.
The talk will take place as usual in Dundee Arts Society Roseangle Gallery, starting at 7.00 pm. Visitors are always welcome and there is our usual invitation to chat afterwards over a glass of wine.