A key port connecting Wales with Ireland will remain closed until next year after it suffered storm damage.
Holyhead port will stay closed until 15 January, its owners Stena Line has confirmed.
It comes after part of the structure of one of the port’s terminals collapsed during Storm Darragh a fortnight ago.
Last year, the port saw 1.6m passengers travel between Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
Exporters say the port’s closure has created “significant challenges” in the run-up to Christmas.
Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, told Sky News its members were “really feeling the pinch”.
“We have very little access to the UK ports. We’re down about 60% on our normal capacity,” he said.
In 2023, 4.8 million tonnes of freight between Wales and Ireland was handled at Holyhead.
The Terminal 3 berth at the port was affected by two incidents on 6 December and 7 December, which resulted in part of the structure collapsing.
A spokesperson for Stena Line said underwater inspections have had to be carried out “given the scale of the damage”.
The decision to close the ferry berths until at least 15 January was made to “provide certainty for passengers, freight customers and ferry operators”.
“We understand the closure of the ferry terminals has had a significant impact on trade, passengers and port customers. We are sorry for the disruption this has caused,” the spokesperson added.
“The safety of our colleagues and customers is our first priority and we will only permit ferry services to recommence once we are sure it is safe to do so.”
‘Huge impact’
Plaid Cymru’s MP for Ynys Mon, Llinos Medi, wrote to Wales Secretary Jo Stevens on Monday asking for support for the constituency’s port in the wake of Storm Darragh.
“The impact on those who rely on the port for work will no doubt be devastating: several businesses on the island have been hugely affected and several individuals have lost their jobs with immediate effect,” Ms Medi said.
Gareth Davies, the Welsh Conservatives’ shadow minister for North Wales said the continued closure was “starting to have a huge impact on the area and will affect the wider Welsh and British economy”.
“If [Stena Line] need support from the Welsh and UK governments, then the governments should be prepared to step in,” he added.
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In a joint statement, the Welsh and Irish governments said it was “not the news any of us wanted to hear” but the announcement provided “clarity”.
They said both governments were “pressing ahead” with contingency plans.
“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,” the statement added.
“It is also a very anxious time for businesses in North Wales and Ireland, and for the community of Holyhead.”
Passengers who were planning to use the port of Holyhead over the Christmas period are advised to check the relevant ferry company’s website.
Sky News has asked the UK government for its response.
