‘Musical ferries’ but faith in long term port future

STENA AND MP EXPECT BIG DROP IN FREIGHT BUSINESS POST-BREXIT TO BE TEMPORARY

STENA Line has described the current situation on the Irish Sea as “musical ferries” as Brexit hits trade routes - but reiterated its confidence freight demand will pick up at Holyhead.

The Anglesey port is still 50% down on normal business to Dublin - with Fishguard over 70% below usual trading levels.

It has led to ships like the flagship Stena Estrid being redeployed from Holyhead last weekend to start a new Dublin - Cherbourg route as the demand for direct services between Ireland and the continent surges.

It returned this week but will then move back to direct Ireland - France routes, with the smaller Stena Horizon coming to Holyhead.

There are fears about the long term impact of Brexit on the port but Stena is still confident that this is a short term demand issue.

They said: “It is important to note that should demand increase on the routes back to Wales we will immediately move capacity back to cover it.

“We remain fully committed to Welsh ports and the routes that service them.

“We are confident demand will return.

“The British landbridge will always be the quickest and most cost-effective route to the continent for Irish hauliers.

“The situation at the moment is somewhat clouded by lower demand due to lockdown and stockpiling before the end of December.

“Both Holyhead and Fishguard will remain vital routes for both freight and people between Ireland and Britain.”

MP for Ynys Môn Virginia Crosbie said: “At the moment there is a lot of fluctuation in the system as businesses adjust to the new requirements.

“I have discussed the matter with both Stena and the Department for Transport and I understand that traffic flows are still below normal volumes everywhere.

“However, we expect that the fluctuations in transport patterns we are seeing at the moment will be short term.”