The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) has advised that, despite the odd problem affecting minor ports, most ferry services around the UK and Ireland are operating without any “significant delays.” The news comes as the aviation industry in Europe continues to suffer the effects of the wintry weather, with many flights across the continent cancelled or delayed.

Bill Gibbons, PSA director, said: “Our ferry company members are very experienced in continuing to provide scheduled services in testing weather conditions and the snow and ice have – and are expected to have – little effect on sailing schedules.”

Mr Gibbons added: “People noticed how ferries came to the rescue in the ash cloud situation earlier this year and it looks like ferries could also be welcome saviours this Christmas, just as long as passengers can get to their port of embarkation.”

As highlighted by Mr Gibbons, the value of ferry services is never so appreciated as when problems hit the aviation industry. Ferries rescued countless holiday plans during the ash cloud crisis, during which time airplanes were grounded across much of northern Europe. As the bitterly cold weather continues to freeze Britain, ferry operators are once again enjoying a surge in business as the aviation industry continues to falter.

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