The Port of Holyhead has suffered significant damage during Storm Darragh (6 and 7 December) after two separate berthing incidents.
Originally set to reopen on 20 December, Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 will now remain closed until 15 January 2025 at the earliest, prioritising safety. Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have announced significant contingency measures to mitigate disruption in this very busy period:
Stena Line:
- Chartered BEN MY CHREE (Isle of Man Steam Packet) to operate a Dublin–Heysham freight route (from 17 Dec), adding 850 lane metres of freight capacity.
- Additional Dublin–Birkenhead sailings on STENA ESTRID for car passengers with existing bookings.
- Stena Line has also deployed STENA ADVENTURER to operate between Dublin and Fishguard.
- Introduced a 12-hour rule for trailers and unaccompanied vehicles, limiting acceptance to 12 hours before departure for confirmed bookings only.
Irish Ferries:
- Increased capacity on Rosslare–Pembroke with the redeployment of JAMES JOYCE.
- ISLE OF INNISFREE on Dublin-Fishguard.
- Added sailings on the Dublin–Cherbourg corridor, with ULYSSES successfully undertaking its first crossing to France, boosting freight capacity.
CLdN:
- Implemented a similar 12-hour rule at key terminals including Dublin T4, Liverpool, and Heysham.
As one of the key gateways between the UK and Ireland, Holyhead plays a critical role for freight and passenger transport. Stena Line and Irish Ferries move two million passengers per year and some 1,200 freight units per day.
Photo: Philphos – Commons Wikimedia
Freighlink published a comprehensive overview of the changes on Linkedin. Click on the photo below to access the post.
