Shipping magnate and philanthropist Sammy Ofer has donated £20m towards the creation of a new wing at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.

The bequest is believed to be the largest single donation made to a cultural project in the UK.

The new wing will feature five key elements; a substantial new space for special exhibitions, an open archive centre, new learning spaces, a new south entrance, a restaurant, café and shop.

The exhibition space will be 800sq m in size and will be used to host major exhibitions.

The archive will provide new learning and research spaces, aiming to improve access to the museum’s most treasured exhibits as well as revealing the stories of people and the sea through its maritime collection.

According to NMM officials, the donation will enable the museum to produce custom-designed exhibition spaces and highly accessible archives which will drive a step change in the way the museum present its collections and exhibition programme to its visitors.

In 2007, the Museum welcomed 1.7 million visitors, the highest ever, and was ninth in the league table of leading visitor attractions (ALVA). Over ten million people visited its website.

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said: “Our maritime story is Britain’s national story. This generous donation by Mr Ofer will help to ensure that current and future generations understand better the crucial role played by the sea in our history and the lives of those who depended upon it.

“I applaud this opportunity to promote engagement with our maritime past, present and future, which has only been made possible by this unique gift to the nation.”