The James Joyce, which presently sails between the ports twice a day, will be joined on the route by the Irish Ferries ship Isle of Innisfree on January 7.

Both passenger automobiles and accompanied goods will be able to travel on the Isle of Innisfree. The statement follows the closure of Holyhead Ferry Port over the Christmas season due to damage caused by Storm Darragh.

According to a statement released by the Port of Milford Haven in Wales and Irish Ferries, the Department of Transport praised the announcement, calling it a "testament to the agility and responsiveness of stakeholders in the freight, supply chain, ports and maritime sectors."

"This is good news for both passengers and goods carriers travelling between Ireland and the UK," stated Eamon Ryan, Minister of Transportation.

"I would like to thank the Port of Milford Haven, the Welsh and UK Governments, Irish Ferries and all stakeholders for working together to secure alternative routes between our two countries while we wait to hear further about the situation at Holyhead."

The extra service, Mr. Ryan emphasised, was the consequence of a "real team effort on both sides of the Irish Sea."