Friday, February 28, 2025 - 18:25 by ce-press
Belfast Harbour (BH) has unveiled a five-year strategy, which includes the development of a new £90 million (€108 million) deepwater quay to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise vessels.
The investment, which will also expand the port’s capacity and capabilities for offshore wind turbine assembly and installation, forms part of an ambitious programme to invest more than £300 million in capital projects across the port and Harbour Estate over the next five years.
Conor Murphy, minister for the economy, said: “I welcome the plans for investment in the port and the Harbour Estate which Belfast Harbour has detailed in its new strategy. The proposed investments support my department’s strategic objectives of creating good jobs and reaching net zero by 2050 and will provide tangible benefits for the economy. Investment in new facilities that will advance the energy transition, as well as improving the attractiveness of the port as a cruise destination, shows Belfast Harbour’s commitment to generating a prosperous future for all.”
Stage one of the deepwater quay build, which will initially support cruise tourism, is expected to be delivered by 2027-28. Through the project, BH aims to boost cruise tourism to the region, currently worth an estimated £20-25 million to the local economy annually.
This will also enable the port to further develop as a hub for turnaround cruises, having first welcomed a number of such itineraries from Ambassador Cruise Line in 2023.
Since 1996, more than 1,400 cruiseships carrying almost 2.5 million international passengers and crew have called Belfast. In 2024, 60 ships from 35 different cruise lines, brought almost 300,000 passengers and crew to Northern Ireland.
The new strategy has four key objectives: to enable economic growth; to develop and improve the port; to create vibrant places to live and work; and to innovate for a better tomorrow, with the overarching objective of accelerating to net zero embedded across all activities, including cruise operations.
This is underpinned by Belfast Harbour’s already existing measures towards promoting greater sustainability in its cruise offering, including sourcing zero emissions shuttle buses, significantly reducing waste that is going to landfill from vessels and working with tourism business and cruise stakeholders to measure carbon emissions and develop city decarbonisation plans. Other goals featured in the strategy include increasing engagement with local communities.
Joe O’Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, said: “Belfast Harbour’s goal is to drive regional prosperity by developing the port and estate, so that everyone benefits. This strategy will put Belfast Harbour at the forefront of the clean energy transition.”
Gerry Lennon, chief executive of Visit Belfast, added: “This transformative project strengthens Belfast’s position as a world-class cruise destination, paving the way for the future of Cruise Belfast by accommodating larger vessels and enhancing the visitor experience. The new strategy strengthens our shared commitment to innovation and sustainability and continues to showcase Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland as a vibrant, forward-thinking place to live, work, visit, and invest, ensuring long-term growth and opportunity for tourism and the economy.”
