Belfast Aims to Become a Premier Cruise Homeport with £90M Investment

Belfast Harbour has announced a significant GBP 90 million investment aimed at enhancing its cruise ship facilities and supporting the burgeoning wind energy sector. This initiative is part of a broader GBP 300 million development program set to unfold over the next five years, positioning the port as a vital hub for both industries.

The primary objective is to attract major cruise lines to establish Belfast as a homeport, where cruises both begin and conclude, rather than serving merely as a single-day stopover. To facilitate this goal, the port intends to relocate its cruise terminal to a currently undeveloped site on Airport Road West. The new terminal will offer airport-like amenities to accommodate passengers embarking and disembarking for extended journeys.

Joe O’Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour, emphasized that improved infrastructure is critical to meet passenger needs for longer cruise itineraries. John McGrillen, CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland, highlighted the potential economic boost that cruise tourism could provide—currently contributing approximately GBP 25 million annually—stating that transforming Belfast into a homeport could enhance this figure two to threefold in the coming decades. The influx of cruise visitors is expected to bring additional revenue to local attractions and businesses across Northern Ireland.

The planned terminal, which has already secured planning approval, is anticipated to become operational by late 2027 or early 2028. This move will also optimize space at existing facilities, allowing an expansion of the marshaling area for wind turbine logistics. O’Neill noted the growing opportunities within the offshore wind sector, with plans for around 30 wind farm projects along the Irish coast set to commence in the next ten years.

While the current funding for the port’s improvements comes from retained earnings, Belfast Harbour is seeking to undergo a legal reclassification to facilitate borrowing for larger projects. As a public corporation, its current borrowing capabilities are linked to the capital budget of Stormont. The harbour is advocating for a shift to private corporation status, similar to reforms made in Scotland, which would involve adjustments to the appointment process of the harbour board. The Department of Infrastructure has initiated a consultation regarding these proposed changes, which could increase financial flexibility for future large-scale developments.

For more information, visit Belfast Harbour.

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