Belfast Harbour sees 12% profit increase

The growth was driven by improved port throughput, which was up by just over 1% to more than 23 million t in 2016. The freight ferry sector performed particularly well with over 0.5 million vehicles passing through Belfast, a rise of 60% since 2010. Passenger numbers also grew strongly in 2016, up 9% to 1.5 million, the highest level since 2004.

The Harbour recently invested £42 million in infrastructure including new logistics warehousing, quayside cranes, the new Harbour Studios and ongoing urban regeneration schemes such as City Quays. A further £105 million has been committed to future projects.

Dr David Dobbin, Belfast Harbour’s Chair, said: “This has been another highly successful year for Belfast Harbour reflecting an improving economic background and the benefits coming from our ongoing investment in port facilities and development of the Harbour estate - investments which have totalled £130 million over the past five years.”

“Every penny of our net profit is reinvested in the development of the Harbour’s port and property activities, supporting businesses throughout Northern Ireland. As is the case in the Port sector the scale of these benefits to the wider economy is considerably in excess of the direct economic benefit to Belfast Harbour itself.”

During 2016 Belfast Harbour invested £3 million in 90 000 ft2 of additional warehousing and £4 million in new cranes, including the largest single crane operating in any British or Irish port. Significant investments were also made in regeneration projects in the Harbour Estate.

Dr Dobbin added: “Belfast Harbour has an ambitious investment pipeline which will continue to drive our business and enhance the capacity of Northern Ireland’s economy, creating jobs and maintaining Belfast Harbour as the region’s most important access point to the global marketplace.”

“The Harbour’s investment profile has historically been dominated by marine projects, but the opportunity to utilise waterfront sites no longer required for port operations has generated major property development projects.”

“Planned in consultation with Invest NI, City Quays has created strong interest among inward investors. The first office, City Quays 1, is fully let, with City Quays 2, due for completion this summer already generating significant interest. The Board has also approved the development of City Quays 3, a 260 000 ft2 office which is expected to be completed by 2019.”

Almost 2.3 million t of agri-sector related trades were also handled through Belfast in 2016. Cement exports exceeded 200 000 t for the first time since 2007 and coal grew to 2.2 million t representing 20% of all UK coal imports. 2016 was also a record year for the cruise sector with 82 ships calling with 145 000 visitors.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/28062017/belfast-harbour-sees-12-profit-increase/