Belfast harbour operator to invest £1.3bn as NI economy grows

Key points

• The operator of Belfast harbour plans to spend £1.3bn over the next 25 years to take advantage of strong economic growth in Northern Ireland, in what would be one of the largest non-governmental investments in the region’s history.
• The Belfast Harbour Commissioners said the money would be spent on upgrading the port, with the possibility of residential property developments that could add another £750m in investment on top.
• The harbour, a non-profit trust port that occupies a central position in the city, is already pushing ahead with the first £300m of investment, including spending on new facilities for offshore wind projects.
• Its other projects will include quays for grain and animal trade, upgrades to the ferry terminals, expanded container shipping facilities, and power connections for docked cruise ships.
• Northern Ireland’s economic growth has outpaced the rest of the UK in recent years, with hopes for further acceleration given the post-Brexit...