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Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy, yesterday opened the £10million extension of the Stormont Wharf in the Port of Belfast. Against the backdrop of the Crown Princess, a commercial super cruise liner, the Minister unveiled the commemorative plaque on what is now the longest deep-water berth in Ireland. The Minister said: "Belfast is one of the island's key maritime gateways and the new extension at Stormont Wharf will help ensure that it maintains and builds upon that position. "It is also highly appropriate that this opening coincides with the visit of the Crown Princess commercial cruise liner, which docked in Belfast this morning with 3,100 passengers on board. Over the past 10 years Belfast Harbour Commissioners and the Cruise Belfast initiative have developed Belfast's reputation into one of the most popular cruise destinations on these islands. "Stormont Wharf will enable the Port to improve the welcome that visitors receive when they disembark." The extension to Stormont Wharf is a further example of the development and investment plans which the Belfast Harbour Commissioners are bringing forward at the Port. Minister Murphy added: "Despite the current economic difficulties, I commend Belfast Harbour Commissioners for their vision in continuing to take the long-term capital investment decisions that will secure the port's primary position as the leading logistics and distribution hub and trading gateway for the north of Ireland." |
