Freight and passenger flows between Ireland and the UK resumed normal patterns overnight after the Port of Holyhead in North Wales reopened at 17:30 on 7 January. The facility had been shut for almost eight hours following a berthing incident involving Stena Line’s E-Flexer ferry ‘Stena Estrid’, which sustained hull damage while approaching the T3 linkspan. The closure delayed the Irish Ferries flagship ‘W.B. Yeats’ by seven hours and prompted temporary diversions for time-critical freight.
Stena Nordica, already rostered to cover planned dry-dockings, operated emergency Holyhead–Dublin round trips during the night of 7/8 January to clear the backlog of trucks and tourist traffic. Port authorities confirmed that T3 has been inspected and deemed safe, while repairs continue on T5 – damaged in an unrelated December incident.
The Holyhead–Dublin corridor handles roughly 44 % of Ireland’s UK land-bridge freight. Even brief closures can snarl just-in-time supply chains for the pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors, which rely on overnight sailings to meet early-morning UK distribution windows. Exporters reported some consignments being re-routed via Rosslare–Fishguard, adding up to six hours’ transit time and higher fuel costs.
![Holyhead Port Reopens After Ferry Berthing Incident, Restoring Vital Dublin–Wales Freight Link]()
For businesses and passengers suddenly switching routes, VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can quickly arrange any visas or travel documents required for Ireland, the UK or onward destinations. Its online platform accelerates applications, tracks them in real time and provides expert support—helpful when last-minute diversions put extra pressure on travel plans.
While no injuries were reported, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (UK) and the Marine Survey Office (Ireland) have opened inquiries. Operators are reviewing berthing protocols, and insurers are expected to face claims for schedule disruption and cargo delay.
Companies using the land-bridge are advised to maintain alternative routing contracts and ensure drivers have the necessary UK cabotage paperwork in case of last-minute diversions. Mobility teams should also update employee travel advice, as Holyhead remains critical for passenger traffic to North-West England and onward rail connections.
Stena Nordica, already rostered to cover planned dry-dockings, operated emergency Holyhead–Dublin round trips during the night of 7/8 January to clear the backlog of trucks and tourist traffic. Port authorities confirmed that T3 has been inspected and deemed safe, while repairs continue on T5 – damaged in an unrelated December incident.
The Holyhead–Dublin corridor handles roughly 44 % of Ireland’s UK land-bridge freight. Even brief closures can snarl just-in-time supply chains for the pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors, which rely on overnight sailings to meet early-morning UK distribution windows. Exporters reported some consignments being re-routed via Rosslare–Fishguard, adding up to six hours’ transit time and higher fuel costs.
For businesses and passengers suddenly switching routes, VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can quickly arrange any visas or travel documents required for Ireland, the UK or onward destinations. Its online platform accelerates applications, tracks them in real time and provides expert support—helpful when last-minute diversions put extra pressure on travel plans.
While no injuries were reported, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (UK) and the Marine Survey Office (Ireland) have opened inquiries. Operators are reviewing berthing protocols, and insurers are expected to face claims for schedule disruption and cargo delay.
Companies using the land-bridge are advised to maintain alternative routing contracts and ensure drivers have the necessary UK cabotage paperwork in case of last-minute diversions. Mobility teams should also update employee travel advice, as Holyhead remains critical for passenger traffic to North-West England and onward rail connections.
