Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Transport has welcomed the news that the Port of Milford Haven has confirmed it can facilitate a third sailing from Pembroke Dock on a temporary basis, to help deal with the impact of the temporary closure of Holyhead.

Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates said: “It’s good news the Port of Milford of Haven have confirmed they can facilitate an additional sailing from the 7 January from Pembroke Dock, giving greater choice for passengers and businesses.

“We’ll continue to work with all our partners, and I’d like to thank everyone for their efforts to deal with the impact of the temporary closure of Holyhead.”

Following the temporary closure of the Holyhead Port, the Port of Milford Haven is facilitating a third daily ferry sailing from Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal on a temporary basis from Tuesday, January 7.

Irish Ferries vessel the ‘Isle of Innisfree’ will call at the Port in addition to the twice-daily scheduled call of the ‘James Joyce’.

Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, Tom Sawyer, said: “Since the temporary closure of Holyhead Port, the Port of Milford Haven has been working in close collaboration with the Department for Transport, Welsh Government and Irish Ferries to identify ways in which it can support the national effort to move freight and passengers between Britain and Ireland.

“As the UK’s largest energy port responsible for the facilitation of around 20% of the UK’s energy needs, we have had to look carefully at how we can support additional ferry traffic without impacting vital UK energy supplies.

“After careful analysis we have identified that we can accommodate an additional daily ferry sailing from Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal on a temporary basis. This third sailing of Irish Ferries vessel ‘Isle of Innisfree’ will be in addition to the usual twice-daily sailing of the ‘James Joyce’.

“However, whilst the James Joyce will be departing from Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal at its usual timetabled slots of 02:45 and 14:45, the Isle of Innisfree departure time will be dependent on other traffic movements, although we will be aiming for a departure time of 0600 where possible.

“Thank you to all our customers for their patience and understanding whilst we have taken time to identify ways to support all traffic movements on the Milford Haven Waterway.

“Finally, thank you to the community of Pembroke Dock who have endured additional traffic through the town throughout this period.”