Holyhead Port Partially Reopens, Irish Hauliers Warn of Supply Chain Risks

Holyhead Port, a crucial link in the Irish Sea trade route, is set to partially reopen on Thursday, December 7th, with one of the two jetties damaged during Storm Darragh brought back into service.

Irish Ferries and Stena Line, the two main ferry operators, will share the single active jetty, with revised timetables in place. The port operator expects normal capacity on the Dublin-Holyhead route to resume.

Haulier Concerns Over Single Jetty Reliance

However, road hauliers, who have been rerouting cargo through ports in England, Scotland, and Wales, express significant concerns about relying on a single jetty.

Ger Hyland, of the Irish Road Haulage Association, warns that 60% of trade across the Irish Sea, utilizing the Dublin-Holyhead route, is now vulnerable. He estimates that €500 million in trade between Ireland and Britain hangs in the balance pending the full reopening of Holyhead Port.

“It is a vital supply chain,” said Mr. Hyland. “The government needs to look at the security of supply of goods and invest in Holyhead preferably because it has the infrastructure.”

Call for Investment and Stakeholder Engagement

Mr. Hyland urges the incoming Irish government to prioritize investment in Holyhead Port or explore acquiring smaller ports in the Liverpool region to safeguard vital supply chains.

He also calls for the establishment of a stakeholder group to assess the situation and provide cost estimates for potential solutions. Hauliers are also seeking compensation from the government for losses incurred during the port’s closure.

A spokesperson from Holyhead Port confirmed the reopening on Thursday, stating, “everything is going ahead tomorrow and we’re fully focused on the port reopening.”

Stena Line and Irish Ferries have communicated their planned schedules for Holyhead operations.

What can you do?

Stay informed about the situation in Holyhead Port by monitoring official announcements and news updates.