The Steam Packet explored the potential of moving its freight services to Liverpool, the papers released have revealed.

The papers from a CoMin meeting on July 20, 2017 state: ’The company is suggesting that it may seek a single berth in Liverpool for freight and passengers.

’This will comply with the user agreement and may be facilitated by Peel Ports Ltd, which is under pressure to release capacity at Heysham but would wish to retain the income from Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.’

As we previously reported, the new port at Princes Half-Tide Dock is expected to open in 2021.

The Department of Infrastructure has stated that the new linkspan would be designed to ’handle loads of up to 120 tonnes’.

The new linkspan and the agreement with Peel Ports Ltd would enable Liverpool to be able to handle freight during the winter months or in the event of an emergency such as Heysham being unavailable.

However, as far back as 2016, the government has known that freight is not a welcome addition to the Liverpool waterfront project.

A Tynwald report said: ’Freight traffic is not welcome within the Liverpool Waters development but the Peel Group is willing to permit the passage of freight vehicles in the event that Heysham Port is unavailable.’

Peel Ports Ltd has also recently invested about £10m for a new linkspan to increase freight capacity at Heysham which was officially opened in May this year.

A spokesman for the Steam Packet confirmed that: ’Before the purchase, a single UK port operation was being considered as one of a number of possible options.

’Then takeover talks progressed so it never went any further.’