Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy and Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz, has commended Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferry operators in the Senedd for their exceptional response in managing increased traffic following severe disruptions at Holyhead Port.
The disruption, caused by Storm Darrah saw widespread damage across Wales, significantly impacting Holyhead Port.
As one of the UK’s busiest ports, Holyhead typically handles 2 million passengers annually and serves as a critical link to Ireland for commercial shipping and ferry services.
In response to Holyhead’s temporary closure, Pembroke Port and Fishguard Harbour, along with ferry operators, stepped up to ensure the seamless movement of goods and passengers.
Key vessels involved in this effort included Irish Ferries’ James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree, alongside Stena Line’s Stena Nordica and Stena Adventurer, which sailed from Pembrokeshire’s ports to support transportation needs.
Samuel Kurtz, who previously worked onboard ships on the Fishguard to Rosslare crossing, said: “The performance of Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferry operators during this time of increased demand has been nothing short of remarkable.
“The contributions of vessels such as Irish Ferries’ James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree, and Stena Line’s Stena Nordica and Stena Adventurer, underscore the strategic importance of our region in maintaining Wales’ economic resilience and connectivity.
“While we look forward to Holyhead Port resuming full operations, Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferries have proven their readiness to rise to the occasion, ensuring that Wales remains open for business. This southern corridor from Pembrokeshire to Rosslare has demonstrated its importance.
“This success is a direct result of the dedication, skill, and professionalism of the men and women who operate our ports and ferries. Their hard work deserves our deepest gratitude, as they have played a vital role in minimising disruption and safeguarding the flow of trade and travel during these uncertain times.”
The disruption, caused by Storm Darrah saw widespread damage across Wales, significantly impacting Holyhead Port.
As one of the UK’s busiest ports, Holyhead typically handles 2 million passengers annually and serves as a critical link to Ireland for commercial shipping and ferry services.
In response to Holyhead’s temporary closure, Pembroke Port and Fishguard Harbour, along with ferry operators, stepped up to ensure the seamless movement of goods and passengers.
Key vessels involved in this effort included Irish Ferries’ James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree, alongside Stena Line’s Stena Nordica and Stena Adventurer, which sailed from Pembrokeshire’s ports to support transportation needs.
Samuel Kurtz, who previously worked onboard ships on the Fishguard to Rosslare crossing, said: “The performance of Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferry operators during this time of increased demand has been nothing short of remarkable.
“The contributions of vessels such as Irish Ferries’ James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree, and Stena Line’s Stena Nordica and Stena Adventurer, underscore the strategic importance of our region in maintaining Wales’ economic resilience and connectivity.
“While we look forward to Holyhead Port resuming full operations, Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferries have proven their readiness to rise to the occasion, ensuring that Wales remains open for business. This southern corridor from Pembrokeshire to Rosslare has demonstrated its importance.
“This success is a direct result of the dedication, skill, and professionalism of the men and women who operate our ports and ferries. Their hard work deserves our deepest gratitude, as they have played a vital role in minimising disruption and safeguarding the flow of trade and travel during these uncertain times.”
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NewsTranscript
00:00Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement.
00:07The closure of the port of Holyhead following the damage caused by Storm Dara has placed
00:12immense strain on the economy of north Wales, businesses reliant on trade across the Irish
00:16Sea and the communities whose livelihoods depend on the efficient operation of this
00:21critical transport hub.
00:22I welcome warmly the efforts taken in the aftermath of the storm and, as a former seafarer
00:28myself, working on the Ross Lare crossing, this is something that I've paid close attention
00:33to since Storm Dara.
00:35Cabinet Secretary, you rightly highlight the significance of Holyhead as the UK's second
00:39busiest passenger ferry port and its central role in the UK island trade corridor.
00:44However, the delays in reopening the port, initially anticipated shortly after the storm
00:49and then pushed to 16 January for partial operations, have caused considerable uncertainty.
00:55While it's positive to hear that one ferry berth will reopen for four daily services,
00:59the fact that full operations are not expected until March leaves businesses and communities
01:05in a state of limbo.
01:06So, could the Cabinet Secretary provide greater clarity on the timeline for the full restoration
01:12of services, particularly in light of the delays in underwater inspections?
01:17I note the commendable efforts of stakeholders to secure alternative routes and additional
01:22capacity via Fishguard, Pembroke Dock and ports in north-west of England.
01:28The James Joyce and the Isle of Innisfree from Irish Ferries and the Nordica and Adventurer
01:33from Stenaline sailing from Pembrokeshire's ports were critical in addressing the immediate
01:38impact during the holiday season, as acknowledged rightly in your statement.
01:42However, this does also underscore the importance of the southern corridor, which is often overlooked.
01:48While I appreciate that this statement focuses rightly on Holyhead, an update from yourself
01:53on the port of Pembroke and Fishguard harbour and whether the Welsh Government has a view
01:58on focusing or consolidating passenger services in the southern corridor to strengthen it
02:03on the route to Rosslyr would be welcome, because a balance needs to be struck, maximising
02:09the opportunities presented by the southern corridor while ensuring this does not detract
02:13from Holyhead.
02:15So, what assurances can the Cabinet Secretary provide that these temporary measures will
02:19not result in a permanent shift away of services from Holyhead, and, additionally, how does
02:24the Welsh Government intend to fully capitalise on the opportunities in the southern corridor
02:30without undermining Holyhead's strategic importance?
02:33I think the phrase that you used, Cabinet Secretary, was not just ësurviveí but ëthriveí.
02:37I would agree with that.
02:39The Cabinet Secretary's recognition on the strain of logistics and the adaptability of
02:44the sector is welcome, but the knock-on effects remain significant.
02:48The increased traffic to other ports has highlighted issues with driver facilities and road infrastructure.
02:54Indeed, hauliers were contacting me about potential poor facilities.
03:00The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report, ëA New Direction for HGV Driversí,
03:06has recommendations 4 and 6, which call for improvements in driver rest provisions and
03:12facilities.
03:13I think this is particularly relevant, given the increased pressures on other ports and
03:17routes.
03:18So, Cabinet Secretary, could you update the Chamber on progress in implementing the recommendations
03:24of the ETRA report?
03:26I would also urge the Cabinet Secretary to potentially consider, in the future, delivering
03:31a specific statement on the Welsh Governmentís progress in implementing this whole report,
03:36given that your predecessor, Bar 1, agreed in principle or entirely with the recommendations
03:43of that report.
03:45Finally, while I welcome the establishment of a taskforce to develop a new strategy for
03:51Holyhead and the broader work on a port strategy for Wales, it is vital that these initiatives
03:56deliver tangible outcomes.
03:58Too often weíve heard of focus groups and task and finish groups being launched with
04:02no tangible outcomes.
04:04So, what specific measures will the taskforce prioritise to enhance the resilience of critical
04:08transport links like Holyhead and other ports across the Irish Sea?
04:14Furthermore, how will the taskforce ensure that these ports are utilised as economic
04:18catalysts delivering prosperity to the regions that they serve?
04:23Indeed, ports over time and memoriam have been catalysts in delivering economic prosperity
04:28in the region, be that through fishing, be that now through the oil and gas industry
04:32in Pembrokeshire, be that through freight and passenger terminals up in Holyhead and
04:36other ports.
04:37These harbours, these ports, are key to that.
04:39If your taskforce will look at that specifically in the wider prosperity of those regions and
04:43how ports play a fundamental role to that, I think that is incredibly significant.
04:48The closure of the port of Holyhead is not just a logistical challenge but a test of
04:53leadership and foresight.
04:54That said, the adaptability of other ports in filling the void has been warmly welcomed
05:00and commendable.
05:02Looking ahead, hauliers, businesses and all customers need assurance on the future of
05:06Irish Sea crossings.
05:07The Welsh Government must take a lead in delivering those insurances.
05:11Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.