The shipping platform

Location: The port of Belfast is situated at the W end of Belfast Lough, on the E coast of Northern Ireland. General overview: It is the major port of the province and has handling facilities for all types of cargo plus extensive repair services. There are up to 80 ferry sailings a week to mainland UK. The total water area of the harbour is 440ha, consisting of wet docks, basins and drydocks, with a total of 11,674m quayage. Exports: Agricultural products, livestock, machinery, scrap metal, rope and cordage textiles, manufactured tobacco, oil, motor spirit and ships. Berthing is permitted throughout 24 hours. Imports: Building and construction materials, crude oil, motor spirit, chemicals, coal, steel and iron, machinery, timber, raw tobacco, fertilisers, grain, feeding stuffs, fruit, textiles. Traffic figures: Approx 12,050,000t of cargo, 125,000TEU and 1,300,000 passengers handled annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.