Kimmins welcomes Executive approval to bring forward a new Harbours Bill for Northern Ireland

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced a new Harbours Bill is being introduced to the Assembly following recent Executive approval. 

There are five commercial ports in Northern Ireland (Belfast, Larne, Londonderry, Warrenpoint and Coleraine). With the exception of Larne (which is privately owned by P&O) they are all Trust Ports.

Trust Ports play a vital role in our local economy, and we rely heavily on them as our main gateway for imports and exports.  The Bill is the first step to bring about updates following a review of Trust Ports which seeks to deal with issues faced by Trust Ports and to improve their ability to operate more effectively commercially.     

Minister Kimmins said: “I am pleased to confirm that the Executive considered the Harbours Bill at its meeting on 28 May and was content for its introduction into the Assembly. 

“The Bill's aim is to modernise the legislative and governance framework for our Trust Ports, enabling them to operate more efficiently, strengthen their contribution to the regional economy and allow them the opportunity to operate at a competitive level with other ports across these islands.”

The Harbours Bill will be introduced to the Assembly on 15 June.
 

Notes to editors:

1. The Bill is one part of wider changes being implemented in order to achieve the policy recommendations set out following the review of Trust Ports. 
2. Trust Ports are autonomous bodies created by statute - dating back in some instances to the mid-19th century - with responsibility to provide, maintain, improve and develop their harbour. They are required to make a commercially acceptable rate of return, with profits re-invested into the operation of their port.
3. Once the Bill is considered in the Assembly, the Department also plan to introduce new Harbour Orders for each Trust Port, that is Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Coleraine Harbour Commissioners, Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners and Warrenpoint Harbour Authority.  
4. The Harbours Bill, together with the Harbour Orders, will aim to achieve the following recommendations:
   • Make legislative change to amend perceived levers of government control over Trust Ports with the intention that the Office of National Statistics (ONS) will review their classification of Trust Ports in the North of Ireland
   • Provide enhanced commercial powers to Trust Ports
   • Provide marine safety measures to enable Ports to comply with the Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code.