Pembrokeshire’s ports received commendations for their swift response during Holyhead’s disruptions caused by severe weather conditions
Holyhead: A Welsh Government shadow minister has given a shout-out to Pembrokeshire’s ports for stepping up when Holyhead Port faced major disruptions. These issues were due to Storm Darrah, which brought some wild winds, reaching up to 96mph, back in early December.
This storm caused quite a bit of chaos across Wales, and Holyhead, one of the busiest ports in the UK, had to close temporarily. Normally, Holyhead sees around two million passengers each year and is a key link for ferries and commercial shipping to Ireland.
When Holyhead had to shut down, Pembroke Port and Fishguard Harbour quickly jumped in to keep things moving. They worked with ferry operators to ensure that goods and passengers could still get where they needed to go.
Some of the key vessels that helped out included Irish Ferries’ James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree, along with Stena Line’s Stena Nordica and Stena Adventurer. These ships sailed from Pembrokeshire’s ports to keep transportation flowing.
Samuel Kurtz, the shadow minister for economy and energy, praised the performance of Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferry operators during this busy time. He highlighted how crucial these services are for keeping Wales connected and economically resilient.
Kurtz expressed optimism about Holyhead Port returning to full operations soon but emphasized how Pembrokeshire’s ports have shown they can handle the pressure. He noted the importance of the southern corridor from Pembrokeshire to Rosslare.
He also recognized the hard work and dedication of the people operating these ports and ferries, saying they deserve a big thank you for minimizing disruptions and keeping trade and travel flowing during such uncertain times.
