A new chapter in Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage began this week as the Nomadic Charitable Trust officially transfered SS Nomadic to Titanic Foundation Limited, the charity that also own the Titanic Belfast visitor attraction. SS Nomadic will be operated by Titanic Belfast Limited, Titanic Belfast’s commercial operator, who will align their 5 star visitor attraction experience to Titanic’s little sister.
The SS Nomadic is not only the last remaining White Star Line ship anywhere in the world, it’s also the biggest Titanic artefact and an authentic piece of Belfast’s maritime heritage. In 2005 Nomadic was languishing in Le Havre when local enthusiasts became aware of its plight, and began a campaign to ‘Save the Nomadic’ from scrappage. The Department for Social Development stepped in and bought Nomadic in 2006, bringing it home later that year. The Nomadic Charitable Trust was set up to oversee its restoration and conservation, and the ship opened to the public in 2013.
Titanic Foundation has taken on ownership of the SS Nomadic, as part of their remit to protect and promote the maritime and industrial heritage of Belfast. In collaboration with Titanic Belfast Limited, it was recognised that there would be significant benefits in joining up the operations of both Titanic Belfast and the SS Nomadic advancing the development and promotion of Titanic Quarter as an international maritime heritage destination.
SS Nomadic and Titanic Belfast are open to the public offering an ongoing programme of family events.