Holyhead port will not reopen until January 15 'at the earliest'

Holyhead port will not be reopening for ferry services until at least January 15, 2025, it has been confirmed.

It was announced after Storm Darragh that the Port of Holyhead, owned by ferry company Stena Line, was to remain closed until December 20, with all services cancelled until then due to damage from the storm - with worries of a delay on deliveries for Christmas.

Now it has been confirmed that the port will remain shut until at least January 15, with Stena Line saying they are currently working hard to provide alternative travel arrangements for customers during the busy festive period.

READ MORE: ‘Highly unlikely’ Holyhead will reopen before Christmas announces Taoiseach Simon Harris

READ MORE: Transport Ministers meet with Welsh and UK counterparts over Holyhead trade backlog

Stena Line customers are currently being contacted and affected passengers are advised to amend their booking online free of charge or through the Contact Centre on 01 907 5555.

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.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the ferry service said: “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 spokesperson for the Department of Transport told the Irish Mirror: "We have received an update this afternoon from Stena that the Port of Holyhead will not reopen until 15 January at the earliest following the damage sustained during Storm Darragh.

"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.

"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.

"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."

Ireland’s junior minister at the Department of Transport James Lawless met with his Welsh counterpart Ken Skates on Sunday and both met with Stena Line at 1pm on Monday.

On Monday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said the “seriousness” of the damage was becoming “more apparent as the days go by”.

“I think it’s highly unlikely now that we will see Holyhead port functioning in any real way this side of Christmas and of course, that is a serious concern to both people who’ve bought goods and presents and gifts that they’re hoping will arrive, and also people that are understandably trying to get home for the Christmas period,” he said in Dun Laoghaire.

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