The Minister said: “The Port of Belfast is a major economic asset for the North and I am delighted to have this opportunity today to see the scale of the operations and facilities at the Port and to discuss with the Chairman and his management team a number of important issues which are facing the ports industry.”
On July 5, the Port revealed plans for an investment programme up to 2025 totalling £630million. Referring to the recent announcement by the Port on future development plans Mr Murphy said: “I congratulate the Port and Harbour Commissioners on their continued success and on their drive and determination to develop the port as a key economic driver. The future investment plans which the Port has identified as part of their Corporate Plan are a clear demonstration of the Port’s commitment to support the continued growth of our economy.”
During his visit, the Minister toured the Port facilities by boat accompanied by the Chairman of the Harbour Commissioners, Len O’Hagan and Chief Executive Roy Adair.
The Minister also referred to the ongoing Review of Ports Policy, noting: “A successful ports industry is crucial to the success of our economy, not only as the main gateways for our imports and exports, but also as a catalyst for economic regeneration. My overriding aim through the Ports Policy Review is to ensure that we have a thriving and efficient port sector, and a trust port sector which is appropriately accountable for the important public assets it controls. I look forward, in my capacity as Regional Development Minister, to working with all the commercial ports across the North as we consider how to ensure that their full potential is realised.”
The Port of Belfast handles 60% of Northern Ireland’s sea borne trade and is a vital gateway for raw materials, exports and consumer goods for the entire island.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Port’s activities cover three distinct areas:
- Services to Shipping
- Warehousing and Distribution Services
- Management and development of the Harbour Estate, including the co-promotion of Titanic Quarter, Europe’s largest urban waterfront regeneration scheme.
2. The Port is also the north’s leading logistics and distribution hub. In 2006 the Port:
- Handled 17.5m tonnes of goods (such as grain/animal feeds, timber, steel and paper)
- Was the island’s largest ferry port carrying over 1.2m passengers
- Handled 145,000 containers and 350,000 freight vehicles
- Accommodated over 6,000 sailings to Great Britain, Europe and beyond.
3. The Port’s 2006-2010 Corporate Plan envisages an investment programme of £140million over this period. On 5 July the Port revealed plans for an investment programme up to 2025 totalling £630million (including the £140million).
4. Media queries to: Anne Armstrong, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel 028 9054 0004. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
