Why a Masterplan?
planning for the future
Belfast Harbour has been a cornerstone of the regional economy for almost two centuries – adapting, investing and growing to meet the needs of the people we serve. As trade has evolved, so has the city. With this Masterplan we are planning for the future through long-term transformation of our port and estate.
For Belfast Harbour to remain a strong port and to enable the city’s growth, we must also evolve and grow, in a way that secures our ability to operate as a port, and as a steward of the land we own and manage for generations to come.
Independent forecasting confirms that under most growth scenarios, existing port infrastructure will reach capacity before the middle of this century. With faster growth, that pressure could arrive a decade earlier.
The trade we handle today – more than 24 million tonnes a year – could reach over 30 million tonnes by 2050, and up to 50 million tonnes under higher-growth scenarios.
The infrastructure needed to handle that growth takes years to plan, consent and build. Decisions taken now will still be felt in the year 2100. That is why a 25-year framework is not just ambitious, it is vital for our future.
It reflects our existing near-term plans, as well as addressing longer-term essential needs. This includes creating new capacity, replacing older infrastructure and equipment, and using new technologies to improve efficiency.
A new Masterplan is also strongly supported by our customers, communities, tenants and residents, as well as many other key partners and stakeholders.
Throughout our engagement process, they have identified numerous areas of priority to address, including port operational resilience and capacity, net zero ambition, and regeneration of inner harbour locations, as well as practical considerations such as transport access, electricity grid reinforcement and wastewater provision, among others.
Crucially, this Masterplan protects port primacy, safeguarding land and infrastructure for trade and logistics, as what we plan to build today will continue to serve the region for generations to come.
