Increased sailings on Stena Line’s Fishguard-Rosslare route

Stena Line has increased its Fishguard-Rosslare sailings, upping the number of crossings from 14 a week to 24. The new service began yesterday and is good news for the Welsh port of Fishguard which has suffered from reduced freight and passenger numbers as a result of the pandemic.

The company hopes that the easing of travel restrictions will mean a busy summer as tourist travel resumes. The Fishguard-Rosslare route is particularly popular with holidays makers as it offer the shortest crossing between Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

“Staycations” and “carcations” have become the buzzwords during the pandemic and although then UK government has announced a timetable for easing the ban on foreign travel, many will choose to holiday within the British Isles this year.

Paul Grant, Trade Director Irish Sea, says: “It has been a very difficult start to the year for the port of Fishguard and the route across to Rosslare. While the Irish port has boomed due to direct services to France, our Welsh port has been quiet.

“As trade flows between Britain and Ireland begin to pick-up we’re anticipating that confidence will recover for land-bridge freight movements. Shorter, faster and more frequent routes are always popular with hauliers and their customers. In addition, we know that there is a lot of pent up demand for travel and the return of Duty Free onboard will offer even greater value for passengers traveling with Stena Line.”