The Port of Belfast has accused the North's strategic investment board (SIB) of throwing ports policy into a state of confusion.
The accusation follows claims made last week that the board might take control of the port, prompting its owners to assert that the British government was going to "asset-strip" the facility.
David Gavaghan, chief executive of the SIB, magnified speculation about the port's future when he commented that the UK ports policy review should now benchmark ports against international competitors, although this was not included in a review document published last week.
The port says SIB has "extended the scope" of the published policy review.
The port also said questions were now being asked about who was in control of ports policy and the wider role of the SIB.
A spokesperson for the Port of Belfast said: "Ports policy in Northern Ireland is in danger of falling into complete confusion as questions are raised as to whether the department for regional development or the SIB is driving this review process.
"SIB was established by OFMDFM [ office of first minister and deputy first minister], by devolved ministers, to serve the people of Northern Ireland. It appears to have lost that focus and is following an agenda set by direct rule ministers.
"SIB should look to its own performance rather than that of the Port of Belfast, one of the most successful organisations in Northern Ireland."
He added: "It appears that the SIB has moved the goal posts yet again. While the Port of Belfast is more than happy to stand over its performance as one of the UK's most efficiently run ports - including a harbour estate which is home to major regeneration projects such as the Odyssey, Titanic Quarter, Clarendon Dock and the Northern Ireland science park - what other ports in the UK are being benchmarked in this manner?
"Furthermore, the department for regional development has already approved the Port of Belfast's latest corporate plan which outlines the port's £140 million (€202.8 million) investment programme - where does that approval stand in light of SIB's call to benchmark performances?"
The SIB was established by the (OFMDFM) before the Stormont executive was suspended in October 2002. It aims to boost infrastructure investment using its experience of funding and implementing major projects, and deploying specialist skills and approaches.
It also acts as a bridge between the public and private sectors and works with Stormont departments and agencies to help them accelerate the delivery of major public-infrastructure projects.
The Port of Belfast handled more than 17 million tonnes of goods in 2005, its second-busiest year in 400 years.
The total volume of goods traffic passing though Belfast has almost tripled in the last 25 years. This includes a 10-fold increase in roll-on/roll-off freight traffic and a doubling in container traffic. It also handled 1.2 million passengers, making it Northern Ireland's busiest passenger port.
