A £15.5 million upgrade to Fishguard Harbour is moving forward, with early-stage plans submitted for a major overhaul of the ferry terminal and surrounding infrastructure.
The proposals — understood to be led by Stena Line, which operates the twice-daily ferry to Rosslare — aim to replace the ageing linkspan bridge and temporary jack-up barge with a modern floating pontoon, improving safety and streamlining access for passengers and vehicles.
The scheme forms part of a wider £20 million investment programme announced by Stena Line last year, which includes improved terminal facilities and long-term infrastructure upgrades to support both freight and tourism growth.
To support the new pontoon, the latest plans include capital dredging of around 78,000m³ of seabed, with material disposed of at a licensed site in Milford Haven. A new reinforced concrete bankseat and tubular steel guide pile would anchor the structure, while land reclamation would extend pedestrian and road access to the terminal.
The works also involve the demolition of disused infrastructure, including an old RNLI slipway, and the installation of a rock armour revetment to protect against coastal erosion. A storm sewer extension and other utility upgrades are also proposed, alongside various temporary and ancillary works.
Documents submitted to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) describe the development as essential to maintaining ferry operations and improving long-term resilience. The new pontoon would allow safer berthing and reduce reliance on temporary infrastructure.
The planning boundary sits entirely within Fishguard Bay, a designated Special Area of Conservation, meaning environmental assessments are a key part of the process. Stena Line has already submitted detailed statements to NRW addressing marine biodiversity, flood risk, and coastal processes.
Fishguard Harbour — a strategic gateway to Ireland since 1906 — has long played a vital role in Welsh transport. It’s also becoming an increasingly important stop for cruise tourism, with vessels like the AIDAbella bringing over 2,000 German visitors to the town earlier this year. The proposed upgrades aim to future-proof the site for both commercial and leisure traffic while minimising disruption to ferry services.
