Norðurþing ports manager resigns as activity declines

The manager of port operations in Norðurþing has resigned, saying it is no longer justifiable to maintain a dedicated management position given the municipality’s current level of activity, mbl.is reports.

Bergur Elías Ágústsson said in the minutes of a meeting held by the board of Norðurþing’s port fund on Thursday that he had resigned in the interests of the ports and the municipality.

He said the decision did not reflect the ports’ long-term needs. If activity increases again, the port board should reassess its management requirements, he said.

Bergur Elías has managed Norðurþing’s ports for just over two years. During that time, operations have changed significantly because of external developments and circumstances, including a drop in revenue caused by reduced activity at PCC Bakki and a sharp decline in cruise ship calls compared with the previous year.

The ports currently have two full-time equivalent positions in Húsavík and 0.25 full-time equivalent in Kópasker. Work is also under way to secure 0.6 full-time equivalent in Raufarhöfn.

Bergur Elías said the existing staff had the knowledge needed to handle the current workload professionally and safely. When he leaves, the number of permanent full-time equivalent positions at Norðurþing’s ports will have fallen by 49 per cent.

He described the reduction as painful but necessary under the current operating conditions. He said he nevertheless remained convinced that the downturn would be temporary.