Port of Belfast has announced a surge in trade for 2010, following three consecutive years of downturn. According to reports, an additional 16.5 million tonnes of cargo passed through the port last year – 5 per cent more than in 2009. In terms of ferry passenger numbers, however, Port of Belfast recorded a fall of 1 per cent over the year, with some 1.3 million people passing through the port. An extra 62,000 passengers and members of crew arrived in Belfast after travelling aboard cruise ships, of which 35 docked at the port in 2010.

Joe O’Neill, the Commercial Director of Belfast Harbour, said: “It is a welcome sign that tonnages through the port rose last year by a healthy 5.4 per cent. We will continue to seek to support our customers by developing facilities and increasing trade through the port, although we recognise that challenges persist in some sectors. Our expectation, however, remains that new marine facilities will be required to cater for long-term growth in Northern Ireland’s economy.”

Belfast Harbour’s Chairman, Len O’Hagan, added: “Continued investment in new facilities has enabled the harbour to diversify into new sectors and provide our existing customers with the most modern port on the island.”

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