CIVIL engineering specialist contractor Graham has completed a £15 million redevelopment of the Victoria Terminal 2 (VT2) ferry terminal ramp which services the Belfast to Birkenhead route.
The existing berth has been upgraded to handle the next generation of modern roll-on/roll-off ferry vessels, Stena Line’s new E-Flexer series ships.
The project involved the installation of a new double deck linkspan that allows vehicles to be loaded or discharged simultaneously over two decks of the ferry, which will allow Stena to increase capacity, reduce turnaround times, improve customers’ experience and enhance connectivity.
As part of the works, Graham’s project team also constructed new berthing infrastructure including dolphins, walkways and automatic mooring system, and a new approach ramp to the linkspan upper deck.
Throughout the works materials were procured through the local supply chain and Graham also recruited a new engineering apprentice to work on the scheme.
The project forms part of Belfast Harbour’s long-term investment strategy in Port infrastructure and future-proofs Belfast’s ferry facilities.
Thomas Craven, Contracts Manager for Graham, said: “This important infrastructure project for Northern Ireland will unlock further potential for freight capacity between Belfast and Liverpool.
“The facilities will provide major benefits to Northern Ireland’s importers and exporters, improving the customer experience as well as enhancing capacity on the route.”
Last year Hillsborough-headquartered Graham also completed the first phase of a multi-million-pound upgrade to the Port of Southampton’s Ocean Cruise Terminal and is currently delivering a £10m repair project at Swansea West Pier and a new wharf and land upgrades as part of a £40m redevelopment to the Port of Dundee.
