The first to be reactivated will be the crane that stands furthest from the water, Goliath, which will come online in September

Belfast's iconic yellow gantry cranes are returning to regular service for the first time in over two decades.

Samson and Goliath are being reactivated as Harland & Wolff, the historic shipbuilder that constructed the Titanic, re-enters the warship market for nearly £160million.

Peter Rusk, programme manager, explained how the yard is being modernised.

Mr Rusk added: "It needs this investment, needs this overhaul. And Samson and Goliath, they’re iconic for Belfast."

Navantia UK is the new owner and financial engine driving the reopening and modernisation of the Belfast shipyard.

The massive injection of work comes from a multi-billion pound contract to build three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) vessels for the Royal Navy.

These massive support ships will supply ammunition, food, and cargo to the UK's aircraft carriers.

The Belfast yard saw the construction of the Navy fleet tanker RFA Fort Victoria back in 1990, which will now be replaced by the new vessels commissioned.

The construction will keep hundreds of workers in Belfast in employment for at least the next 10 years, with the workforce tripling from around the current 450 to about 1,500.

A further £60million is being invested into improvements at the company’s three other UK fabrication yards, Appledore in North Devon and Arnish and Methil in Scotland.

Donato Martínez, the chief executive of Navantia UK, said: "The market is booming.

"We can see that all across Europe. We’re almost flat out in the Spanish yards, and France is the same, Italy’s the same, the Netherlands is the same.

"We’re aiming to have full utilisation of Belfast by the end of this year."

Harland & Wolff is a historic British shipbuilder with a storied 165-year history, having constructed more than 1,000 vessels over its lifetime, including 170 ships for the Royal Navy.

Founded 165 years ago, the yard rose to global prominence during the golden age of ocean liners.

Its most famous historical milestone was constructing the RMS Titanic.