The upgrade centres around a new linkspan, a crucial piece of infrastructure that allows ferries to load and unload.
Stena Line has said it is applying to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for a marine licence application for the replacement linkspan, with construction scheduled to start in 2026. The new linkspan is expected to be completed and operational in 2027.
The investment is intended to secure the port’s future for the next 30-40 years, addressing the aging infrastructure of the existing single-lane linkspan which dates back to the 1970s.
A previous plan to build a new linkspan was cancelled in 2018, causing local concern about the port’s future.
The Port of Fishguard is operated by Stena Line Ports Ltd., who are the statutory Harbour Authority.
Stena Line operates a twice-daily ferry service between Fishguard and Rosslare (Republic of Ireland).
There have been other changes at the port related to Brexit, including improved customs infrastructure and increased parking for heavy goods vehicles.
Stena Line is investing £20 million to upgrade the linkspan (a type of drawbridge for ferries) at Fishguard port, aiming to secure the port’s future for the next 30-40 years. Construction is planned to begin in 2026, with the new linkspan expected to be operational by 2027.
Ian Davies from Stena Line told the BBC that development would “offer many things”.
Mr Davies said: “Because the structure is a lot bigger, in essence it means that in future we can fit any size of ferry on to this berth which we don’t have that flexibility at the moment.
“As was shown during Storm Darragh, and the issues up at Holyhead, we were able to bring some other ships in to Fishguard but it was quite a struggle to do that. This really adds to the resilience that Stena Line ports have. We can bring vessels in, change vessels around, if and when the circumstances arise.
“It brings us right up to date. It’s a commitment really for the next 30-40 years that we have the infrastructure now to take this port to wherever the business takes us.”
