Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
The Port of Holyhead has been closed since last weekend due to damage to critical berthing infrastructure inflicted by Storm Darragh. As the week has progressed, it has become apparent that the damage is more extensive than first thought and may take some time to repair.
On Thursday, I convened a meeting with the Port of Holyhead and the Leader of the Isle of Anglesey County Council to get an update on the situation. Subsequently, the Holyhead Port Authority has indicated that the Port will remain closed until at least 19 December 2024.
I am acutely aware of the significant impacts that the continued closure is having on logistics movements between Wales and the Republic of Ireland, especially given the high seasonal demand for timely deliveries of goods. I understand that freight bound for the Republic of Ireland is diverting temporarily to other ports on the West coast of the UK. I am grateful for the flexibility and resilience demonstrated once again by our logistics sector in response to a disruptive event.
However, it is imperative that the Port of Holyhead restores its operational capability at the earliest possible opportunity. I understand that the Port is focusing on restoring one of its berths with an amended timetable, as a means to get ferry capacity reinstated as quickly as possible. Safety must remain a priority, so the Port will only re-start services when properly ready to do so, but I know that the team at the Port are working as hard as they can to resume operations at the earliest possible opportunity. The team at the Port recognise, as I do, the importance of providing reliable, up-to-date information to the public and logistics sector as work to restore services progresses.
Officials in the Welsh Government are maintaining close contact with all relevant stakeholders, including in the Republic of Ireland and in the UK Government, to understand the full extent of the damage at the Port and when this vital trade link will re-open. I have encouraged the Port leadership team to come forward if they require support from any Government to get services restarted. My officials will continue to monitor the situation over the weekend.
I will be meeting with the Port leadership and local stakeholders again on 18 December for a further update on progress towards the restoration of services. I will provide a further update to the Senedd after this meeting.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.