The development is the most expensive project to be undertaken by the Port in its 400 year history and will cover a 32 acre site.

The new terminal will include a restaurant, lounges, a viewing gallery and dedicated facilities for HGV drivers. Design and build work is being carried out by Newtonabbey based McLaughlin & Harvey and is being project managed by Mouchel Parkman. The terminal is due to open just before the busy 2008 summer season.

In addition to providing 75 jobs, construction of the new terminal will use 600 tons of reinforced steel, 1,850 tons of concrete and enough bitumen to build a theoretical one metre wide causeway from the Scottish Coast to Belfast.

Speaking at the launch of the construction work, Len O’Hagan, the Port’s chairman said, ‘Some 80 years ago the Port began reclaiming part of Belfast Lough with millions of tons of stone and sand, creating a site that will allow Stena Line to relocate its Belfast operations nearer to Scotland.

‘In addition, the Port will also build a new dual carriageway directly linking the new terminal with the M2 at Fortwilliam to provide easy access for drivers nd hauliers. This investment is being funded directly by the Port, at no cost to the tax payer, as part of a £140m investment programme to enhance what is Northern Ireland’s primary gateway to the world.’