The Port of Belfast has benefited from growth in the NI economy.

The port announced a 13 per cent rise in pre-tax profits in 2006 to £18.7m.

Port of Belfast Chief Executive Roy Adair, said: "The port is in many ways a bellwether for the economy. When the economy performs well, we perform well and vice-versa."

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The Port of Belfast will benefit from a £630m investment plan, which allows for the development of a Northern Ireland tiger economy that will take at least 18 years to complete.

"We have superb facilities here but they need to be improved still further to cope with economic expansion." Mr Adair said.

The Stena terminal is the biggest investment; it will cost a total of £35m by completion.

(GK/JM)