The SS Nomadic, which ferried first and second class passengers to the Titanic from Cherbourg, returned to Belfast after nearly 95 years in 2006.

Now, almost 100 years after she left the Harland and Wolff shipyard, she is the ‘last floating link’ to the Titanic.

The Department for Social Development, which owns the Nomadic, has now awarded a £2m contract to carry out restoration on the ship.

This project has provided over 25 jobs with at least three more in the pipeline.

DSD Minister Alex Attwood said: “This Harland and Wolff contract confirms the sense of history here, of the |Nomadic and the Titanic.

“It may be an expensive project but it will help Belfast become the Titanic capital of the world. It is expensive today, but will bring a hundredfold return.

He added: “I was talking to one of the world’s most famous architects, Daniel Libeskind, and he didn’t know the Titanic was built here.

“This project will do much to raise the profile of the Titanic worldwide.

“The history is bound up in the people and experience of the city.”

East Belfast Councillor Michael Copeland said: “I have followed the situation of SS Nomadic for many years.

“I first raised the matter of the ship’s plight with the direct rule minister David Hamilton in the aftermath of street disorder in east Belfast in 2005.

“This led, directly or indirectly to government intervention and her return to the city of her birth.

“It is singularly pleasing that this restoration will take place in the very same place she was built in so many years ago,” he added.

Dennis Rooney, chairman of the Nomadic Charitable Trust said: “The superstructure and steelwork contract will ensure that the vessel will be ready to accommodate the key fit-out stage of the restoration programme, which will commence immediately after this contract is complete.

“Between now and then we do have another very important milestone of our own with the Nomadic celebrating her centenary in April.”

He added: “NCT is still looking for financial help to restore the Nomadic and give this magnificent piece of maritime heritage its rightful place in history.”

Howard Keery, Director at the Special EU Programmes Body, said: “This is an extremely worthwhile project which will contribute to the regeneration of a historical part of the city.

“The award of this contract to Harland and Wolff also confirms that the engineering and manufacturing industry in the region remains strong and competitive.

“I am delighted that under the PEACE III Programme we are able to contribute to the restoration of the SS Nomadic and promote recognition of a shared history and heritage.”