A solution to the question of where the Steam Packet will dock in Liverpool during the 2020 season still looks some way off.

The current deal for Pier Head expires in 2019 with the new Princes Half Tide Dock terminal not due to open until 2021.

However, any potential deal for the Steam Packet to remain at Pier Head for the 2020 season is dependent on many variables.

The most pressing is the landing stage and link span structure itself. This week’s Isle of Man Examiner reported a Department of Infrastructure spokesman saying that the structure was ’life expired and may not be safe for continued operations’.

However, the Manx Independent has since contacted the Steam Packet.

A spokesman said: ’The company expects the structure could be maintained sufficiently beyond the end of 2019 if needed as a short-term solution but its use depends also on Liverpool City Council needs.’

The company added that, through its relationship with Peel Group, ’regular ongoing inspections’ are made of the Pier Head facility to ensure its ongoing safety and is operational.

redevelop

It is understood that Liverpool Council could also seek to move forward with its plans to redevelop the site for the city’s new cruise liner terminal.

The Steam Packet also indicated it was unsure as to when the development is scheduled to begin.

A spokesman for Liverpool Council confirmed to the Manx Independent it is ’looking at being on site for construction around spring/summer next year’.

There is also confusion as to who is negotiating with Peel and Liverpool Council over the potential of continued use in 2020.

The DoI stated: ’The current landing stage is operated on a lease between the Steam Packet Company and Peel and the Department of Infrastructure has no role in that arrangement.’

However, a spokesman for the Steam Packet appeared to contradict that statement.

The spokesman said that the Steam Packet was ’not directly involved but had asked the DoI to raise it with Peel’.

The Manx Independent asked the Steam Packet what potential options were available should Pier Head be unavailable in 2020.

The company confirmed that the Birkenhead 12 Quays dock, which the Ben-My-Chree uses during the winter months, would not be suitable for the Manannan fast craft.

We also asked whether it would be possible for the company to use Heysham as its only north west port in 2020.

The Steam Packet said it was possible, although it was highly unlikely, seeing it ’only as a worst-case fall-back position’.