$390m for Belfast Harbour maintenance and development
Belfast Harbour has released details of a new program to invest more £313 million (US$390 million) in capital projects across the port and harbour estate over the next five years.
Belfast Harbour will invest £208 million in port improvements and £105 million in the ongoing regeneration and development of the harbour estate and waterfront.
As a "trust port", Belfast Harbour is self-financing and invests all post-tax profits in developing the port and estate.
The strategy includes the largest single capital project ever undertaken by Belfast Harbour, a proposed £90 million investment in a new deepwater quay which will be able to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise vessels, and also expand the port’s capacity and capabilities for offshore wind turbine assembly and installation.
Stage one of the deepwater quay build, which will initially support cruise tourism, is expected to be delivered by 2027-28. Through the project, Belfast Harbour aims to boost cruise tourism to the region, currently worth an estimated £20-25 million to the local economy annually.
Stage two of the deepwater quay build, due by 2030, will further strengthen the infrastructure, so that the port can play a role in the assembly and installation of the next generation of floating offshore wind turbines.
"While this part of the project is dependent on additional investment or third-party funding, Belfast Harbour is confident that when complete, it will position the port and local supply chain as central to the deployment of high-capacity wind farms, helping meet demand for clean energy as Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Ireland strive to reach net zero targets," said the port in a statement.
Other port projects outlined in the strategy include the delivery of new cranes; the planning, design and consent for a rebuild of Stormont Wharf – the port’s main deepwater berth; the construction of new warehouses; and the deployment of autonomous vehicles across the port and estate.
