The requirement for fast craft services could be dropped from the new user agreement with the Steam Packet.

A public consultation into the agreement is currently under way.

Under the present agreement, the Steam Packet agrees to operate a minimum level of service in return for exclusive access to a linkspan in Douglas harbour.

That deal - which includes a stipulation that there must be a fast craft - is now being renegotiated.

After a freedom of information request from Isle of Man Newspapers, it is clear that the Council of Ministers had discussed dropping the need for a fast craft in the future.

A question in the Department of Infrastructure’s current consultation also paves the way for seasonal fast craft services to Liverpool to be dropped in favour of a year-round RoPax (Ben-my-Chree style vessel) service.

In a report, which was presented to CoMin in July 2017, options are discussed in the event of a breakdown of negotiations with the Steam Packet over the user agreement.

report

The report, which was drawn up before the government decided to buy the company, suggests that, in any event, the government should seek to operate two RoPax vessels, that could operate from any of the ports the Steam Packet is either based at, or visits.

The report, from shipping experts Thames Head Shipping Advisors Ltd, said: ’We suggest that Peel Ports should be pressed to provide such a facility at an existing or new ferry terminal on the Liverpool side of the Mersey.

’We understand that a potential site for this exists at Sandon Half Tide Dock, a short distance further out from the city centre than Princes Half Tide Dock, but readily serviced with a dedicated coach service.’

The Sandon dock site was considered but owners Peel Ports ruled it out, stating it couldn’t accommodate passengers.

A DoI spokesman said: ’The proposed ferry terminal at Liverpool’s Princes Half Tide Dock is being designed to accommodate vessels up to 142m long. It could be used by any ferry that can berth at Douglas or Heysham.

’This does not preclude the option of the Steam Packet running two RoPax vessels in the future but the berth will work equally well serving the current arrangements of a seasonal fast craft service and a winter weekend RoPax service.

option

’The option of securing Sandon Half Tide Dock was followed up but was not viable. On inquiry, the landowner made it clear that the site was not available for any passenger services.

’Princes Half Tide Dock was always the preferred option, due to its proximity to the city centre and favourable transport links. The government is confident it will serve generations of travellers well for many years to come.’

Coincidently, the owner of Sandon Half Tide Dock has just sold the Princes Dock site to the Manx government for about £3.5m.

The DoI response noted that the new Princes Half Tide Dock ’does not preclude the option’ of the Steam Packet ’running two RoPax vessels in the future’.

Isle of Man Newspapers has previously reported that the Steam Packet intends to have two new vessels by 2023.

We have also previously reported that the DoI plans to build a new linkspan on the Victoria Pier as part of the £80m work in Douglas Harbour, which would allow two RoPax vessels to berth in the harbour at the same time.

Furthermore, a question in the consultation into the future sea services agreement that Tynwald has asked the DoI to arrange with the Steam Packet, asks people whether they would prefer the service to Liverpool to be available as:

â?¢ ’An approximately 3.5-4 hour journey on a conventional ferry, all year round, but with one overnight departure.’

â?¢ ’An approximately 2.5 hour journey on a fast ferry, seven months of the year, with all departures during daytime hours’.

potential

This would seem to further suggest the DoI is at least exploring the potential of dropping a fast craft service as a requirement in a new user agreement.