Legal Status

The Belfast Harbour Commissioners (the Board) was first constituted by the Belfast Harbour Act 1847 as a body corporate with perpetual succession which will continue in existence until statutorily dissolved, with the underlying purpose of operating, maintaining and improving the Port of Belfast.

The powers and duties of the Board are limited to those conferred by the various Belfast Harbour Acts and Orders 1847 to 2002 and any relevant public general Acts such as the Harbour Acts (Northern Ireland) 1970. In common with other Northern Ireland and Great Britain ports whose management is similarly constituted, the Port of Belfast is commonly referred to as a ‘Trust Port’.

The day-to-day operation of Belfast Harbour is managed by a senior executive team who report to the Board.