Holyhead Port reveals reason for closure
Holyhead Port is closed due to part of the berth structure collapsing after two separate berthing incidents amid Storm Darragh, it has said.
The port will stay closed until at least Thursday, 19 December, after damage suffered during Storm Darragh, which saw gusts of up to 94mph batter the UK.
In a new update, port bosses said two separate incidents on December 6 and 7 led to part of the berth structure collapsing and becoming unusable, with underwater inspections of the "structural integrity" of other berths taking place from 10 December after the passing of Storm Darragh.
A spokesperson for the port said this process is still ongoing and it will only permit ferry services to resume once they are sure it is safe.
The closure of Holyhead port during one of the busiest trading periods between the UK and Ireland has affected the delivery of festive goods and caused disruption for those travelling for Christmas.
In an update issued on Monday, 16 December, a spokesperson for Holyhead Port said: "We appreciate there is legitimate public interest in the circumstances surrounding the temporary closure of the ferry berths at Holyhead Port.
"It has been established that on Friday, 6 December, and Saturday, 7 December, two separate berthing incidents occurred affecting the Terminal 3 berth used by Irish Ferries, resulting in part of the berth structure collapsing and rendering it unusable.
"Given the scale of the damage, it has been necessary to perform underwater inspections of the structural integrity of the adjacent Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 berths, which could only commence once Storm Darragh had passed, early last Tuesday (10th) morning. This process is still ongoing, and we will provide an update as soon as we are able to.
"We understand that the closure of the port has had a significant impact on trade, passengers and port customers and we are aware of the disruption this has caused. The safety of all persons involved in the berthing arrangements; including our staff, contractors and of course our customers is our number one priority and we will only permit ferry services to recommence once we are sure it is safe to do so."
A Irish Ferries spokesperson has said: "Irish Ferries can confirm categorically that the current closure of Holyhead Port is not due to an Irish Ferries vessel but due to damage to port infrastructure caused during Storm Darragh. Queries about the reopening of the terminal are a matter for the port operator, Stena Line Ports. Irish Ferries continues to liaise closely with customers booked to travel on the route in making alternative arrangements."
A spokesperson for Stena Line said: "Due to the closure of Holyhead Port, Stena Line has cancelled all ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead until Friday, 20 December. The company is currently in the process of contacting all affected customers.
"Travel customers are advised to amend their bookings online free of charge or through its Contact Centre on 0344 770 7070 (UK)/ + 353 1 907 5555 (ROI). Stena Line is currently assessing options for additional sailings from Dublin to its ports in Birkenhead and Fishguard as well as from Belfast to Cairnryan and Heysham to assist continuity of trade and passenger flows.
"Stena Line would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and assure customers that the company is doing everything in its power to mitigate the effects of the closure on passenger and freight traffic."
Addressing the disruption on Friday, 13 December, First Minister Eluned Morgan said: "Storm Darragh has really created havoc in our nation, and has been particularly damaging for Holyhead Port.
"The transport secretary met with the managers of the port (on Thursday) and the local authorities to make sure that they had everything they needed that we could offer them, but it is going to be a few days before the port is reopened.
"I know every effort will be made to try and turn things round as quickly as they can. There's not an insignificant amount of damage and of course this is a particularly busy time of year for that port."
Asked if it will be open by Christmas Day, the FM said: "That is something that's going to be in the hands of the people who are correcting the problems caused by the storm."
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