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Tag: Isle of man | Ferry Shipping News

Nov 21
3

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Unveils Three-Vessel Schedule With New Focus on Ireland

By | 2025 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company will launch its new three-vessel timetable for 2026/27. It goes on sale on 21 November 2025 and marks the first regular three-ship schedule outside TT for over 15 years. The plan strengthens all core routes and introduces a major expansion of services to Ireland.

Key points:

  • BEN-MY-CHREE becomes the dedicated Ireland vessel.
    Five sailings a week to Dublin and Larne in peak season.
    Three winter sailings a week to Larne.
    Supports both passenger travel and new freight opportunities.
  • MANANNAN expands on Liverpool.
    More daytime summer sailings.
    Maintains two daily services into early September.
    Potential September increases if demand remains strong.
  • MANXMAN focuses on Heysham.
    Exclusively on the route in peak season.
    Operates weekend Liverpool sailings from November to March.
    BEN-MY-CHREE supports Heysham freight when required.
  • Customer initiatives extended.
    10% off Flexi Fares and Kids Go Free continue after strong uptake in 2025.
  • Fleet investment.
    Major interior refit planned for BEN-MY-CHREE to upgrade public areas for the Ireland routes.

The schedule runs until late May 2027 and goes live on 21 November at 09:30.

Managing Director Brian Thomson says the Company is investing to support growth. He warns the new Irish links must be used to remain viable, adding that the two-year commitment aims to build sustainable demand.

May 12
0

HSC GOLDEN PRINCESS arrived in Greece

By | 2023 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

On May 10, 2023, Golden Star Ferries’ new acquisition HSC GOLDEN PRINCESS (ex GOTLANDIA II) arrived in Piraeus. The ship was purchased on April 24th.

She will undergo a small-scale refit and probably enter service in the summer season of 2024. She was built in Italy in 2006.

Her carrying capacity is for 900 passengers and 160 cars.

Photo: Petros Psarras

May 12
1

MANXMAN joined the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company fleet

By | 2023 Newsletter week 19 | No Comments

MANXMAN has officially joined the Isle of Man Steam Packet on 11th May, 2023.

Lars Ugland, Chairman of the Board, signed the official documentation to complete the transfer of ownership on behalf of the Company. Mr HR Kim, President and CEO of Hyundai Mipo Dockyard signed on behalf of the builders.

The vessel is now in the charge of Captain Andy Atkinson and Chief Engineer Dean Ellis, for final preparations for departure on Saturday 13th May

Manxman will be docking on the South Coast of England at the end of the delivery voyage in order for some final fixtures and fittings to be added, with expected arrival in the Isle of Man towards the end of June.

Nov 19
0

Isle of Man Ship Registry Chosen to Flag New Zealand’s 2 New Interislander Ferries

By | 2020 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

The Isle of Man Ship Registry has been selected as the flag state to oversee construction of two rail-enabled ropax ferries that will connect New Zealand’s North and South Islands.

KiwiRail has commissioned the future-proofed vessels to modernise its fleet of ferries serving the Cook Strait. KiwiRail’s Interislander service connects New Zealand’s State Highway and national rail networks between the capital city Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. The Interislander carries approximately 850,000 passengers, 250,000 cars and up to NZ$14 billion worth of freight annually.

The search to find a preferred shipyard began last year when KiwiRail issued an Expression of Interest to international shipyards. The selection of a successful shipyard is due to be completed in the next few months. KiwiRail has now appointed the Isle of Man Ship Registry as the newbuilding Flag. The Isle of Man Ship Registry will appoint and work in partnership with KiwiRail’s chosen classification society, overseeing the build process once a shipyard has been confirmed.

The two 220m Ropax ferries, which are being designed by OSK-ShipTech, will each be capable of carrying about 1,900 passengers. They will also have a capacity of approximately 3,600 lane metres, allowing them to transport a combination of vehicles including up to 40 sixty-foot rail wagons.

The new ferries will trigger significant changes to the Wellington and Waitohi Picton waterfronts, including new ferry berths, terminals and both rail and road connections to ensure the benefits of the new ferries are fully realised. The ships are targeted to enter service in the mid-2020s, replacing the existing three-vessel Interislander fleet.

The vessels will be diesel electric hybrid power, with diesel generators and batteries providing electrical power for azimuth thruster propulsion.

Apr 23
0

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company: Survey Findings Revealed ahead of Design of New Vessel

By | 2020 Newsletter week 17 | No Comments

A public survey revealed high levels of satisfaction with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and created valuable input for the new vessel, to be designed and built over the next few years, to replace the services currently provided by conventional ferry, BEN-MY-CHREE.

Passengers would like to see a selection of lounges, a dedicated cafe area and more tables alongside standard seating, a wider choice of food and drink, more charging/plug-in points and improved toilets.

All the details of the survey can be read online
Aug 30
0

Isle Of Man Is Looking At Future Replacement Vessels

By | 2018 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments

The Steam Packet is drawing up its outline specifications for replacement vessels for the BEN-MY-CHREE and MANANNAN, writes IOM Today.

In a parliamentarian answer, Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer’s gave the following indications:

  • He believes the Steam Packet is in the process of developing an outline specification for replacement vessels.
  • The department is ’still accessing the socio-economic factors that would help to shape the new user agreement’.
  • Two ro-pax vessels.
  • Specification could be for LNG or low sulphur diesel.
  • Government granted GBP 3.5 million for new Liverpool terminal. deal to be finalized.
  • Planning application for the new ferry terminal has not even been submitted.
Source; Isle of Man Today