Business

Belfast Harbour remains committed to investing £115m in significant projects

Pictured at the Harbour Commissioners Office are Belfast Harbour’s chief executive Joe O’Neill and Ellvena Graham, chair of the Northern Ireland Economic Advisory Group.
Pictured at the Harbour Commissioners Office are Belfast Harbour’s chief executive Joe O’Neill and Ellvena Graham, chair of the Northern Ireland Economic Advisory Group. Pictured at the Harbour Commissioners Office are Belfast Harbour’s chief executive Joe O’Neill and Ellvena Graham, chair of the Northern Ireland Economic Advisory Group.

BELFAST Harbour’s chief executive has said the port remains committed to investing £115.7 million in significant projects, despite the impact of Covid-19.

Speaking after the trust port held its first ever virtual annual stakeholder meeting, Joe O’Neill said the projects, including the £45m upgrade of its North Foreshore film studios, remain critical enablers for the recovery from the economic impact of the pandemic.

Harbour commissioners warned earlier in the summer that Covid-19 could hit its revenues by as much as 20 per cent in 2020, largely due to the collapse of its cruise, tourism and leisure business.

Speaking at the latest meeting, harbor chairman David Dobbin said the port had demonstrated remarkable resilience during the past six months.

“Belfast Harbour and its port facilities have remained open for business and continued to operate safely and effectively, throughout the entire pandemic, operating every day, on a 24/7 basis.

“I want to thank and pay tribute to the work of Belfast Harbour staff, our logistics partners and customers, and the wider port community who together have showed real resilience in keeping the port open for business and supply chains running,” he said.