Huge impact on trade as Holyhead port to remain closed

Holyhead Port will remain closed until 15 January 'at the earliest', officials have confirmed.

It was previously announced the port would close until 'at least 19 December', but in an update, a spokesperson for the port has confirmed it will remain closed until a later date.

The port closed due to part of the berth structure collapsing after two separate berthing incidents amid Storm Darragh, which saw gusts of up to 94mph batter the UK.

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 statement said: "We are now able to provide an update on the current closure of the Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 ferry berths at Holyhead Port. Regrettably, both terminals will need to remain closed until Wednesday 15 January 2025 at the earliest. Our current priority is to establish when Terminal 5 can be re-opened safely, to resume ferry services.

"This follows two incidents affecting the Terminal 3 berth on Friday 6 December and Saturday 7 December, resulting in part of the 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 morning (December 10)."

It continued: "Whilst we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we are taking the decision now to keep the ferry berths closed until January 15 at the earliest to provide certainty for passengers, freight customers and ferry operators and allow them to make alternative arrangements ahead of one of the busiest times of the year.

"We understand the closure of the ferry terminals has had a significant impact on trade, passengers and port customers. We are sorry for the disruption this has caused. The safety of our colleagues and customers is our first priority and we will only permit ferry services to recommence once we are sure it is safe to do so."

A statement released on behalf of Stena Line said: "Stena Line has been working hard to provide alternative travel arrangements for customers during the busy festive period. Customers are currently being contacted and affected passengers are advised to amend their booking online free of charge or through the Contact Centre on 0344 770 7070 (UK)/ + 353 1 907 5555 (ROI)."

It added: "Stena Line is offering sailings for passengers and freight from Dublin to ports in Birkenhead and Fishguard. In addition, a new freight route from Dublin to Heysham has been added to assist continuity of trade flows. The company has also added additional sailings on the Belfast – Cairnryan route this weekend. Currently there is limited availability on the Belfast – Liverpool and Rosslare – Fishguard routes.

"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."

A joint statement from the Welsh and Irish Government states: "This was not the news any of us wanted to hear. However, it provides clarity so that contingencies can be put in place. We were already working in partnership on contingency plans should we be in this position and we are pressing ahead with those at pace now.

"Where there is spare capacity in other ferry ports, these will be used as Stena has outlined. The ferry companies have redeployed their vessels to other ports and will help passengers booked on Holyhead crossings. The ferry companies are reaching out to their passengers and we would encourage passengers who were planning to use Holyhead to check the relevant ferry company’s website for details of the alternatives."

It added: "We know that this will cause some anxiety for people who are planning to travel to and from Ireland to be reunited with their loved ones this Christmas. It is also a very anxious time for businesses in north Wales and Ireland, and for the community of Holyhead.

"We will continue to keep in regular contact and work with the port, Stena and Irish Ferries, and with Isle of Anglesey County Council. Stena have assured us of their commitment to the port of Holyhead and that the damage is repairable and will be repaired.

"We will continue to work together in the short term to ensure passengers and freight get through, and in the longer term to preserve the resilience and success of the Port of Holyhead, which is so important to both our nations."

Simon McKeever, Chief Executive of Irish Exporters Association, said: "Typically in this week before Christmas you’d have about 10 thousand loads coming through Holyhead alone. About 100 thousand passengers and their vehicles beginning to start about a week before Christmas. All of those people and trucks have to go somewhere.”

Chief Executive of the Irish Postal Corporation David McRedmond said: "We will be looking at our contingency plan, at our disaster recovery plan, and asking ‘do we need actually to increase capacity on other routes?’ And that would not be to the benefit of Holyhead."

Gareth Davies MS, the Shadow Cabinet Minister for North Wales has called on the Irish, British and Welsh Governments to urgently intervene to get Port of Holyhead reopened.

He said: "The failure to reopen the Port is starting to have a huge impact on the area and will affect the wider Welsh and British economy. Stena needs to be open and transparent about what action they are taking to resolve this issue.

"If they need support from the Welsh and UK Governments, then the Governments should be prepared to step in. The continued closure is having an adverse impact on the local economy and the wider supply chain.

"It is also vital that passengers have all the information they need to make alternative travel arrangements, should this be necessary."

Speaking to ITV Wales, Llinos Medi, MP for Ynys Môn, said: "We need to make sure that that is reopening as soon as possible, as safely as possible. This port is of strategic importance to the whole of Wales and the United Kingdom, because of the flow of trade is extremely important.”

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