Aberdeen Harbour Board said that while it hoped elements of the expansion will be able to open next year, full completion is now not expected until 2022.

Spanish-owned Dragados UK withdrew from the Nigg Bay project last month, citing the coronavirus crisis as well as “other factors” for the decision.

Ashleigh Contracts was then awarded a £1.6m contract to complete the north breakwater of the new south harbour.

Aberdeen Harbour Board chief executive Michelle Handforth said: “We were very disappointed that we were in a position where we reached a mutual agreement with Dragados that they would leave the project.

“For them as a global construction company, the impact of COVID-19 financially and on the shutdown of construction activities obviously put them into a situation where they felt they would not be able to complete the work.

“So obviously we went through a process of discussion with them and we have arranged for them to leave the project. The good news attached to that is we only have 30% of the project left to build.”

Work on what is the largest marine construction project currently under way in the UK was originally estimated to end in August 2020, but had fallen a year behind schedule due to “technical challenges”.

Ms Handforth added: “Clearly the impact of COVID -19 for all businesses, and particularly the construction sector, has meant a suspension of work. So we do need to bring construction back in a very safe environment but obviously we’re working very hard with the industry to do that.

“But we’re still confident and we’re on track for delivery of what we’ve called phased opening.

“Due to the size of the new port we will be able to bring some of our facilities on line next year into 2021 and we’re aiming for full opening in 2022.”