A backlog of parcels due to the closure of Holyhead Port after Storm Darragh is having “knock-on effects” to Northern Ireland, says Logistics UK.
The closure of the commercial port in Wales has led to congestion at other ports with the end result that imports into Northern Ireland and the Republic are taking longer.
It has been reported that state-owned postal provider in the Republic, An Post, received more than 350,000 parcels into Ireland from the UK on Thursday night, as massive efforts are made to clear a backlog following Holyhead Port’s closure.
An Post chiefs confirmed that they received hundreds of thousands of parcels and are currently sorting them for delivery in Ireland.
Approximately 150,000 parcels set for Ireland remained in the UK on Friday morning as part of the backlog, but they are being rerouted to a number of different ports.
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Logistics UK, Head of Trade & Devolved Policy, Nichola Mallon said: “Logistics is a resilient and solution-focused sector and you can be sure that the industry is doing everything it can to find alternative routes and keep freight moving now that it has been confirmed that the port of Holyhead will be closed until 19 December at the least.
“We are now in the busiest period of the year for freight companies and the repairs at Holyhead need to be expediated and completed as quickly as possible.
“Holyhead to Dublin is a critical supply chain route and with it out of action there are knock-on effects as the freight that usually travels on this route is diverting to other ports and slower routes.”
She added: “This additional traffic to alternative ports is causing congestion, delay and is creating challenges when it comes to securing bookings.
“In some cases, ports have suspended their normal booking procedures switching to a first in first out process which is adding further uncertainty and it all means that imports into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are taking longer, but the logistics industry is working tirelessly to make sure we all get the goods we need before Christmas.
“Incidents like this highlight how critical and resilient the logistics sector is and how reliant we all are on the 6,000 logistics businesses and 65,000 people employed in logistics roles in Northern Ireland to make, sell and move the goods that the economy relies on every day.”
An Post this morning said it has the “facilities, technology and staff” across its hubs to deliver the parcels to homes and businesses around Ireland.
Ferry sailings between Ireland and Wales were cancelled due to damage caused by Storm Darragh at Holyhead.
Holyhead report they will re-open their port on Thursday, December 19 but the closure resulted in delays for hundreds of thousands of parcels with less than a fortnight to Christmas,.
Managing Director at An Post Commerce Garrett Bridgeman told RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland that they are confident people will receive their parcels on time for Christmas, if they ordered their items before Storm Darragh.
He advised people buying Christmas gifts this week to shop locally as the backlog may not guarantee delivery for fresh orders from the UK before Christmas.
“It’s all moving now. We received over 350,000 parcels overnight which we are currently sorting,” Mr Bridgeman said.
“About 150,000 parcels remained in Holyhead and they are now being rerouted around the UK.
“But this is not a problem for us. We have all our staff, our automated facilities, our casual employees for this time of year. It won’t be a problem and we will deliver it all right up to Christmas Eve.”