Stena Line responds to extended Holyhead Port ferry berth closure: Expert view from Cranfield University

It has been announced that Holyhead Port will not be reopening for ferry services until at least 15 January 2025.

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).

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.

Expert comment on the Holyhead port closure from Supply Chain expert at Cranfield University

Dr. Ioannis Koliousis, Associate Professor of Logistics & Supply Chain Management at Cranfield University:

“Shutting down Holyhead Port has wide-reaching implications for trade, travel, and local communities. This incident shows that deeper thinking of the vulnerabilities in our infrastructure is needed, and the need for contingency planning to mitigate such impacts

“Holyhead is one of the busiest ferry crossings in the UK connecting with Ireland. Its closure disrupts both general supply chains, but most importantly critical supply chains, and is expected to affect businesses reliant on smooth cross-border transport.

“In order to appreciate the scale, Holyhead services 40 crossings per week or around 1 million metric tonnes of cargo per quarter. In addition, Holyhead is one of the three ports that serve Ireland.”