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13th February 2021

Operator Stena Cancels Sailings from Welsh Port for a Week As Ferry Transfers to Holyhead Route

According to NorthWalesLive, operator of the Rosslare-Fishguard route Stena said "So far this year passenger volumes are down -80% and freight volumes are down -50% year-on-year." The route's ferry, Stena Europe (above) is to transfer to Dublin-Holyhead albeit on a temporary basis to cover annual overhaul dry-dock of fleetmates. AFLOAT adds the absence of sailings for a week sees only Irish Ferries operate Isle of Inishmore (left) on the Rosslare-Pembroke link with Milford Haven, south Wales.

Operator Stena Line will cancel all sailings for a week from one Welsh port as a ferry moves to the Holyhead-Dublin route for a temporary period.

The routes between Wales and Ireland have been hit by reduced demand due to post-Brexit trade distortion and national lockdowns.

Now Stena will take the opportunity to undertake its dry-docking programme for annual maintenance.

This will result in a new session of musical ferries on the Irish Sea.

The Stena 'Superfast' VII (see: related story) is going into dry dock and Stena Edda moves to cover the Belfast – Cairnryan route.

Stena Horizon switches from Anglesey to cover Edda on the Birkenhead route and Europe heads from Fishguard to Holyhead to keep two ships on that route.

It will mean sailings between Fishguard-Rosslare are cancelled for just over a week.

But it could mean extra dockers brought back from furlough at Holyhead. They had been placed back on the UK Government scheme due to the impact of Brexit and Covid lockdowns.

More on this reports NorthWalesLive here.

Afloat adds that competitor, Irish Ferries operates the Rosslare-Pembroke route, the second ferry port in south Wales connecting the Wexford port, whose general manager last week made a call for a consolidated ferry service using just one of the Pembrokeshire ports. This to encourage hauliers back into using the ports and the UK land bridge.

In the same week, a Welsh Affairs Committee also heard it would make logistical and economic sense for Pembrokeshire to operate a single ferry port, and possibly served by two companies linking Rosslare Europort which in recent months has seen an explosion in traffic given 'Brexit-Bypass' demand.

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.