Belfast Harbour has asked for expressions of interest ahead of tenders for a new heavy duty quay and deep water berth at D3 – a 46 acre reclaimed site at the northern end of the harbour.
This multi-purpose berth will be able to cater for large cruise ships, as well as other vessels, according to a report in Ulster Business.
Initial plans for the £100 mill development were given the green light in 2019.
It will include a 340 m long solid quay with mooring dolphins, dredging of the berthing pocket and infilling behind the new quay wall, alongside the construction of a 25 m wide piled relieving slab along its length.
An increasing number of cruise ships are calling at Belfast each year.
Last month, the port welcomed its two mill visitor, while a record 165 cruise ship calls are expected this year.
In 2019, Belfast Harbour invested more than £500,000 on upgrading to quayside to form a dedicated cruise terminal, which included a visitor information centre.
This was a joint venture initiative between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast called Cruise Belfast and was the first dedicated cruise terminal to open on the island of Ireland.
