Holyhead ferry port grinds to a halt after docking disaster — chaos for travellers and hauliers
Ferry Mayhem at Holyhead
Holyhead, the UK’s second busiest ferry port and key gateway between Wales and Ireland, has come to a standstill following a berthing blunder. On Wednesday morning, Stena Line’s Stena Estrid smashed into a concrete platform while docking after arriving from Dublin. The mishap forced an immediate shutdown of the entire port.
Thankfully, Stena confirmed that all passengers and freight operators were safely disembarked. Irish Ferries said they expect to clear the problem by afternoon, aiming to restart sailings from 5.30pm.
Holyhead’s Ongoing Ferry Fiascos
This is Holyhead’s second major closure in less than a year. Just last December, Terminal 5 was shut after a similar incident, with bad weather delaying repairs well into 2025. Since then, both Stena Line and Irish Ferries operated out of Terminal 3 — until now.
With Terminal 3 crippled by Wednesday’s crash, no ferry can dock, leaving the bustling port at a complete standstill.
Local Officials Demand Action
Wales’ Transport Secretary Ken Skates has already contacted Stena Line for urgent reassurances on port safety and reliability.
“Passengers, hauliers, and local businesses in Holyhead will rightfully be concerned and frustrated,” said Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth. “I’ll be contacting both Stena Line and Welsh Government as a matter of urgency.”
Major Impact on Freight and Travel
Eugene Drennan of the Irish Road Haulage Association described the “huge knock-on effect” of the closure. Holyhead handles over 400,000 lorries and cars annually and is Wales’ busiest international transport hub — outperforming Cardiff Airport’s passenger numbers twofold.
The swift three-hour crossing between Holyhead and Dublin makes this shutdown a nightmare for freight drivers and travellers alike.
Remember, the port only fully reopened in July 2025 after a docking accident in December 2024 that forced months of repairs ahead of Storm Darragh.
Travel Advice Amid Ongoing Disruption
The Road Haulage Association urges travellers and drivers to stay tuned for updates and revise travel plans where necessary during repairs.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have issued apologies and promise to keep customers informed as investigations into the incident continue.
