Belfast Harbour launches ‘transformative strategy’ with offshore wind at its heart

The strategy – Advance Regional Prosperity 2025-2029 – outlines Belfast Harbour’s plans to invest £208M in port improvements and £105M in the ongoing regeneration and development of the Harbour Estate and waterfront. 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.

The strategy includes the largest single capital project ever undertaken by Belfast Harbour, a proposed £90M investment in a new deepwater quay which will expand the port’s capacity and capabilities for offshore wind turbine assembly and installation and accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise vessels. 

Stage one of the construction of the deepwater quay build, which will initially support cruise tourism, is expected to be delivered by 2027-28. Through the project, Belfast Harbour aims to boost cruise tourism to the region, currently worth an estimated £20-25M to the local economy annually. 

Stage two of construction, due by 2030, will further strengthen the infrastructure, so the port can play a leading role in the assembly and installation of the next generation of floating offshore wind turbines. 

While this part of the project is dependent on additional investment or third-party funding, Belfast Harbour is confident that when complete, it will position the port and local supply chain as central to the deployment of high-capacity windfarms, helping meet demand for clean energy as Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Ireland strive to reach net-zero targets.