Stormont Wharf at the Port of Belfast, Northern Ireland, has been officially opened following the completion of a £10m development, one of the largest undertaken by port authorities in 40 years.
The wharf, which has been extended by more than 1km (0.6 miles) to provide the largest deep-water berth in Ireland, will now operate as the Port of Belfast's main cruise liner facility, with nearly 40 vessels scheduled to visit during 2009.
Conor Murphy, the Northern Irish regional development 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.
"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."
