Reopening of Holyhead still leaves traffic ‘hanging by a thread’ – The Irish Times

Irish Ferries, Stena Line and the operators of Holyhead Port have all said they expect Holyhead port to partially reopen as planned on Thursday, as one of two jetties damaged in Storm Darragh in early December, put into use again.

Sailing schedules have been changed to allow both ferry companies to use the same jetty and the port operator has said normal capacity on the Dublin Holyhead route will be available.

However, road hauliers, who have diverted lorries to a number of ports on the west coasts of Scotland, England and Wales, have warned that around 60 per cent of Irish Sea trade using the Dublin Holyhead route now relies on a single jetty.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Ger Hyland of the Irish Road Haulage Association said around €500 million in trade between Ireland and the UK is now hanging in the balance pending the full reopening of the port.

Mr. Hyland said the state could not afford such a situation and he called on the incoming government to invest in Holyhead or “another nearby port” to ensure vital supply chains were not disrupted.

“It’s an important supply chain,” he said. “The government needs to look at security of supply for goods and invest in Holyhead, primarily because it has the infrastructure.”

Holyhead Port is owned by Stena Line and operated as an independent unit of the ferry company.

Mr. Hyland said that if an investment that would ensure the availability of berths at Holyhead in the future was not feasible, the incoming government should consider buying one of the smaller ports in the Liverpool area.

Mr. Hyland said he wants the government to set up a stakeholder group to look into the situation and come back with estimates of the likely costs. The truckers are also seeking compensation from the government for significant losses incurred while the port was closed.

A spokeswoman for the port said “everything is happening tomorrow and we are fully focused on the port reopening”.

Stena Line said it currently plans to operate four daily departures from Holyhead at 04.00, 10.00, 16.00 and 22.15 from 16 January to 28 February.

“After this date, the timetable will be updated accordingly if necessary when the timetable for a return to a two-berth operation at Holyhead becomes clear,” the company said.

Irish Ferries said it would return to Holyhead on Thursday. The company said its schedule was published on its website.

More than half of Ireland’s Irish Sea trade with the UK relies on one jetty at Holyhead.