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Work to begin on £90m harbour project

John Campbell
BBC News NI economics and business editor
Handout Two men and one woman smiles into the camera in front of the shore of Belfast Harbour. They are holding a large piece of paper. All three are wearing hard hats and high vis jackets.Handout
Belfast Harbour chief executive Joe O'Neill, chair Theresa Donaldson and Leo Martin from Graham construction attended the launch of the project

Belfast Harbour has appointed Graham construction as the main contractor on a £90m project for a new deep water port facility.

The development will improve the port's facilities for cruise ships and the wind energy industry.

Work is expected to start this week with the first phase, which will involve a new dual-purpose quay and deep water berth, targeted for completion in 2027.

The new terminal will be able to accommodate some of the world's largest cruise vessels.

PA Media A general view of Belfast Harbour with Harland and Wolff's distinctive yellow and black Samson and Goliath cranes in the background.PA Media
Belfast Harbour is set to invest £90m as part of a wider £300m spend

The second phase will develop infrastructure for the wind energy sector and is expected to be operational in 2030.

Joe O'Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, said a key objective is to attract more "turnaround" cruise calls to Belfast.

He added: "This means that as one set of passengers disembarks, another set embarks on the same day.

"This will have a multiplier effect on visitor numbers, increasing associated bed nights while growing the positive economic impact for the region."

Graham, which is based in County Down, is Northern Ireland's largest construction company.

Its current contracts include the Loft Lines apartment development at Belfast Harbour and a new headquarters building for Kainos in Belfast city centre.