Feature, Sea


Belfast Port trade remains robust

[ February 25, 2025   //   ]

Trade through Belfast Harbour increased slightly in 2024 as key goods and commodities in and out of Northern Ireland remained resilient in the face of global economic headwinds and high energy costs.

Releasing its annual trade figures, Belfast Harbour reported that 24.1 million tonnes of goods were handled by the port in 2024, up from 23.9 million tonnes the year before and in line with projections for the period.

Belfast Harbour handles over 70% of the region’s seaborne imports and exports and 25% of sea trade for the island of Ireland.

There was another record year for ro ro freight traffic by Stena Line, with 617,000 freight equivalent units comprising of HGVs, smaller commercial vehicles and trade cars, up from the previous record of 610,000 in 2023.

Grains and feedstuffs had a record year, rising to 2.46 million tonnes, slightly ahead of the previous record volumes of 2.43 million tonnes seen in 2021.

Container traffic also ended the year up 3% on the previous year with 124,000 units after two years of lower  volumes following a post-pandemic high of 131,000 in 2021.

Port director, Michael Robinson, said:“The results for 2024 show that trade through Belfast Harbour remains resilient and that the Port community has continued to transport people and deliver the goods and services relied on by communities and businesses in the region.

“Like every business, we are mindful of the challenges in the economy, which have affected both our customers and our own operations. It is very pleasing to note that despite these challenges,  ro ro traffic volumes and the number of passengers travelling to and from Northern Ireland reached new record levels and other categories continued to perform strongly, demonstrating the important role that Belfast Harbour plays in keeping daily life moving.

“In our new strategy, Advance Regional Prosperity, launched in January, Belfast Harbour outlined plans to make £313m of investments in key port and estate infrastructure over the next five years. We are confident this investment will help give us the capacity to facilitate further growth in trade for the region.”

Stena Line’s trade director, Paul Grant, added that2024 was a record year for Stena Line freight volumes on our Belfast routes to Cairnryan, Liverpool and Heysham: “Belfast Harbour is now one of Stena Line’s largest business hubs and we are confident that we can deliver even more success in the future.  That’s why have committed further significant investment in our fleet in the form of two purpose built NewMax vessels to operate on the Belfast-Heysham service which will an additional 40% freight capacity.  The first ship Stena Futura will come into service on the route in autumn 2025.”

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