Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Belfast Dry Dock, owned and operated by Harland and Wolff for ship repair purposes.

By the early 1960s it was clear that the largest dock in Belfast, the Thompson Graving Dock (see J3576 : Thompson Graving Dock), was too small for modern tankers and bulk carriers then being constructed. The Harland and Wolff Dry Dock (now known as the Belfast Dry Dock) was constructed between 1965-68 by Charles Brand and Sons to a design by Rendel, Palmer and Tritton. It is 1150 feet long by 160 feet wide and, when constructed, was one of the five largest docks in the world. The dock can accommodate ships up to 200,000gt.

Alongside the dock is Ship Repair Quay (formerly known as Outfitting Wharf). This was constructed some 7 years later in 1975 and has a total lineal quayage of 433 metres. Ships which do not need to be fully dry docked are repaired here.

Images of the ro-ro ferry 'Stena Superfast VII' Link in the Belfast Dry Dock. Please note that this is a private facility and that access was provided through Stena Line / Harland & Wolff (my grateful thanks to both for a fascinating visit).

For further information see Link ; for other Geograph images of both the ship and her sisters see Link .