Exporters, hauliers, and maritime experts are warning that cross-channel transport issues are set to worsen next week.

Holiday passenger traffic is expected to increase, placing additional strain on a system already struggling due to the closure of Holyhead Port following Storm Darragh. The ongoing closure has caused a backlog of hundreds of trucks and trailers awaiting transit to Ireland, severely disrupting supply chains for time-sensitive goods such as fresh produce and consumer electronics.

Compounding the problem are Brexit-related customs requirements, which have made it difficult to reroute freight through alternative ports, according to haulier Darran Murphy, who spoke on RTÉ Radio’s Today with Claire Byrne.

Simon McKeever of the Exporters Association noted that trucks at Dublin Port are also facing delays in shipping goods to the UK. He highlighted the absence of a functioning government to coordinate with UK authorities as an aggravating factor.

Further frustration stems from a lack of clear communication and coordination regarding the reopening of Holyhead Port. Maritime expert Sean Boyce emphasized that the incident exposes vulnerabilities in the port infrastructure of both the UK and Ireland. He called for greater investment and planning to bolster resilience, adding that the absence of a dedicated Minister for the Marine only underscores the need for improved oversight.