Following more than six weeks of delays, the WB Yeats Irish Ferries ship arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead earlier today. However, the restart has not been entirely smooth.

Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), who was in Holyhead overnight, described the reopening as less than ideal. He noted that a second ferry from Dublin, scheduled to dock in the early hours, was delayed by over three hours due to an electrical fault at the port.

Storm Darragh’s high winds severely damaged terminals 3 and 5 in early December, with terminal 5 now operating on a temporary basis.

Hyland stressed the urgency of full restoration, stating: “The port should have been ready. The backlog of freight waiting on the Welsh side is massive. If this berth fails again, it will be disastrous for our sector, passengers, and especially for Ireland’s import and export trade. We need assurances that improvements will continue.”

While welcoming the reopening, he emphasized the need for a clear timeline on when the second berth will be fully operational, which remains uncertain. He also called for IRHA representation in upcoming discussions between the Irish, Welsh, and UK governments, highlighting the association’s role in transporting 98% of all palletized goods to and from Ireland.

The reopening is expected to ease pressure on hauliers who have been struggling with the closure during one of the busiest transport periods of the year.

Passengers are being advised of schedule changes, with the Irish Ferries website warning that sailings will depart earlier than usual for the next few days. Meanwhile, Stena Line is operating as normal, with four ships running between Dublin and Holyhead daily.

The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) has welcomed the reopening, citing its importance to Ireland’s trade network.

Simon McKeever, CEO of the IEA, described Holyhead Port as “critical infrastructure” for both Irish and UK exports, noting the severe impact of recent disruptions.

“It is essential that port authorities expedite the reopening of the second docking berth. While this partial reopening is positive, it remains vulnerable to weather and other factors. We will continue working with governments and stakeholders on both sides of the Irish Sea until both berths are fully operational,” McKeever said.