Work commences on Belfast Harbour’s largest ever port investment project to create new cruise and offshore wind energy terminal

Marine works are due to begin this week on the largest single capital investment project ever undertaken by Belfast Harbour, the development of a new deepwater terminal to facilitate increased cruise tourism and enable offshore wind energy.

The project will see the £90m construction of a new dual purpose deepwater quay which will be able to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise vessels, while also expanding the port’s capacity for offshore wind turbine assembly and installation. As a Trust Port, Belfast Harbour is self-financing and invests all post-tax profits in developing the port and estate to benefit the city and region.

With 146 cruise vessels scheduled to berth at Belfast Harbour this year, Belfast is already the busiest cruise port on the island and second busiest cruise port in the UK. The investment will futureproof Belfast’s position as a leading city for cruise tourism. It will also enable the growth of the already significant contribution of cruise tourism to the regional economy, estimated at between £20m-£25m per year.

Civil engineering contractor Graham Construction has been announced as the main contractor for the initial phase of the build. Stage one of the construction programme is expected to be delivered for the 2028 cruise season. Stage two of the build, anticipated by 2030, will further strengthen the infrastructure, so that the port can play a leading role in the assembly and installation of the next generation of floating offshore wind turbines.