The Daily Star Ireland
Road hauliers are expressing serious concerns about the closure of Holyhead Port, predicting that many haulage companies could go out of business by the end of next month. Approximately €2 billion worth of goods are currently stranded on both sides of the Irish Sea due to the port closure, which resulted from damage caused by Storm Darragh.
There are significant fears that many Christmas deliveries passing through the UK will not arrive on time. It’s anticipated that the port may remain closed until well into the spring. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, described the situation as “horrendous” and noted that there was no contingency plan in place for such an event.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Hyland explained the scramble to redirect goods from Holyhead to other UK ports for shipment to Ireland, and vice versa. This redirection has resulted in significant additional costs. Hyland emphasized that many Christmas packages, especially those from non-EU countries traveling through the UK, may not reach their destinations on time.
Hyland highlighted the dire need for support from the Irish Government or the EU, warning that without it, some companies might soon fail. He described the haulage industry as having high turnover but very low margins, making financial aid essential. He called on Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless, to provide direct subsidies to help the sector weather the crisis.
Hyland pointed out that 98% of goods on store shelves are delivered by the haulage industry, stressing that the country could face significant problems if the industry collapses. He also criticized the UK government for not doing enough to reopen Holyhead Port or provide a clear timeline for its reopening. He urged for transparency regarding the port’s operational status, whether it would reopen by March, May, or even June.
Jonathan McDade, public affairs lead with the Small Firms Association, also expressed concern about the timing of the port closure, highlighting its impact on the retail, hospitality, and building sectors. Speaking on Morning Ireland, McDade mentioned that delayed goods have caused incomplete jobs, invoicing issues, and damaged reputations for small businesses unable to meet customer demands. He called for clear communication from Holyhead to help small businesses plan accordingly.
