UPDATE: Statement issued as travel and trade fears continue over Holyhead Port closure

Stena Line has announced that Holyhead port will not be re-opening for ferry services until at least January 15.

In a statement, Stena Line responds to the extended closure and has said that they are "working hard to provide alternative travel arrangements for customers during the busy festive period."

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says that a hike in flight prices are not due to the closing of the port.

Mr O'Leary said on Newstalk, "We have been warning for 6 months that there were going to be higher fares at Dublin this Christmas because there is less seats, that's what is driving it."

Stena Line customers are currently being contacted and affected passengers are advised to amend their booking online free of charge, or through the contact centre on +353 1 907 5555.

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Stena Line is offering sailings for passengers and freight from Dublin to ports in Birkenhead and Fishgaurd and a new freight route has been added from Dublin to Heysham to "assist the continuity of trade flows," according to the company.

The company has also added additional sailings on the Belfast- Cairnryan route this weekend.

Stena Line would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and assure customers that they are doing everything in their power "to mitigate the effects of the closure on passenger and freight traffic."