Investment strategy aimed to boost port development in Northen Ireland

by Arne Vatnøy
Communication manager

Belfast Harbour has published an investment strategy, Advance Regional Prosperity 2025-2029, that outlines an ambitious invest programme for more than £300m in capital projects over the next five years.

£208m will be invested in port developments and improvements and £105m in the ongoing regeneration and development.

-This is great news from Northern Ireland, says Alfred Risan, who heads up the working group for UK and Ireland in Norwegian Offshore Wind. 

He considers Belfast harbour’s capabilities and strategic positions to be a port a gateway to both the UK and Irish offshore wind markets. 

-With this investment strategy Belfast harbour will also have a unique position and timing to the emerging floating offshore wind market in the Celtic Sea, says Risan. 

One of the proposed investments is in a new deepwater berth, where the plan is to expand the capacity of its current offshore facility by 2027/28 and developing a brand new terminal to service next generation floating turbines by 2030. 

-Norwegian Offshore Wind sees Northern Ireland as a pivotal partner in the UK offshore wind market, says Tor Arne Johnsen, EU-advisor in NOW. 

Last year, Norwegian Offshore Wind signed a partnership agreement (MoU) with the cluster Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore (NIMO) and is now planning activities together with them for 2025. Ports will be an important aspect in the activities.
-NIMO welcomes the launch of Belfast Harbour’s Strategy for 2025-29 which sets out a bold vision for the continued evolution of the port. With unequivocal commitment to development of a new deepwater quay, it demonstrates Belfast Harbour’s support for the floating offshore renewables sector, which will play a vital role in our economy. Delivery of this new facility is critical to the long-term success of floating offshore, and for the companies working within the sector, and delivery of D3 will ensure that the UK continues to play a critical role in helping to deliver net zero ambitions, comments Stephen Kane, Chair of NI Maritime & Offshore (NIMO) and Managing Director, Ridgeway

Questions?

NOW

Alfred Risan

Working Group Leader
Phone number
+47 977 49 760
Email
Send email
NOW

Tor Arne Johnsen

EU Advisor
Phone number
+47 977 40 339
Email
Send email

Join our newsletter

Get weekly updates from the industry and other Norwegian Offshore Wind content

Sign up here

Latest news

Ocean Winds selects Føn Energy Services for Moray O&M works

Read more

Unitary patents and microenterprise status in offshore wind

Read more

Investment strategy aimed to boost port development in Northen Ireland

Read more