The exciting plans claim to support 5,500 construction jobs and underpin an estimated £12billion for the wider economy
has announced a 25-year investment plan worth more than £1billion to further strengthen the city’s position as a leading maritime gateway”. The £1.3billion will “ensure that the port remains resilient, efficient and competitive, capable of supporting economic growth across Northern Ireland and the wider island for decades to come”.sets out how the port will provide planned, sustainable capacity to support trade flows and strengthen supply chains.
Belfast Harbour handles 70% of Northern Ireland’s seaborne trade and a quarter of all seaborne trade of the entire island of Ireland. It is the second busiest port on the island and one of the UK’s top 10, supporting more than 760 businesses and around 20,000 jobs.
Forecasts indicate trade volumes through Belfast Harbour could increase from around 24 million tonnes today to more than 30 million tonnes by 2050 under steady growth, and to between 40 million and 50 million tonnes under higher‑growth scenarios. The first phase from 2025-2029 includes the development of a new £90 million dual purpose deepwater cruise and wind energy terminal.
Proposed projects in the second phase 2030-2040 include the redevelopment of Stormont Wharf, a vital quay that already supports a range of mixed cargo uses and the expansion of Belfast Harbour Marina to boost leisure and tourism growth. The 2040-2050 phase of the scheme proposes a new terminal for freight transported by container or trailer at the end of the West Bank Road – Belfast Harbour’s first land reclamation project for 25 years – as well as establishing a Clean Energy Hub to provide for new fuels and encourage a reduction in hydrocarbon land use.
Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins said the 2025-2050 Masterplan “captures a bold and exciting future for Belfast Harbour”.
“I fully support this vision, which promises to significantly increase Belfast Harbour’s contribution to our economy and regional connectivity,” she said. Theresa Donaldson, chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, said the harbour “has served the regional economy for nearly two centuries”.
“The port is not simply a feature of Northern Ireland’s economy – it is a cornerstone of it,” she said. “This masterplan sets out a clear, long‑term vision for how Belfast Harbour will continue to deliver growth with purpose over the next 25 years. “It is the result of two years of extensive engagement, and I want to thank the customers, tenants, government partners, and members of the public who helped shape it.
“Their input has ensured this plan is evidence-based, ambitious, and realistic, reflecting our responsibility to the economy, society, and the communities we serve. ” Ms Donaldson also said that delivering “a plan of this scale requires true collaboration” and the Trust is “committed to working with all our partners to navigate the strategic challenges that sit outside our direct control” “For port projects, a key priority remains the reclassification of Belfast Harbour’s accounting status, which would allow us to borrow prudently to fund critical investment,” she said.
“Without this change, we can still deliver, but we will face harder choices regarding the pace and scope of our work. “With it, we can go further and prepare for the scale of growth that both the economy and our customers require. ” Joe O’Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, said: “Much of what people and businesses across Northern Ireland depend on passes through here every day, from food and fuel to construction materials and consumer goods.
“As capacity tightens at key ports on the Irish east coast, we are putting the scale of our estate to work providing the planned capacity the island needs, supporting customers today and preparing Belfast Harbour to be the principal maritime gateway on the Dublin–Belfast Economic Corridor. ”
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