The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has announced a major investment in services to Ireland in a bid to significantly enhance business to and from here over the next two years.
The plan is part of the company’s launch of a new three-ship timetable for 2026 and 2027, with the ferry operator saying is designed to “enhance the attractiveness of the Isle of Man as a destination for visitors and business and enhance islanders’ quality of life by providing vital links to the major ports around the Irish Sea.”
The company will use its former flagship – Ben-my-Chree – to pilot a massively enhanced schedule to Dublin and, following a successful trail last month, Larne.
In peak season this service will see five sailings a week, and throughout the off-season Ben-my-Chree will provide a regular connection to Ireland with three sailings a week to Larne.
The ferry company’s two other ships – Manannan and Manxman – will focus on its other core routes of Liverpool and Heysham.
The company is making further investment in the success of the new schedule by planning a substantial interior refurbishment of Ben-my-Chree to modernise the public areas and enhance facilities for passengers using the routes to Ireland. This will ensure all of the public areas on the company’s vessels meet modern standards, with Manannan’s lounges having been refurbished through the winters of 2023/24 and 2024/25.
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Managing Director Brian Thomson commented: “Following on from the pricing initiatives unveiled last year, the growth in ferry travel has been very positive. We’re committed to supporting a growth agenda for the Isle of Man and we feel this is the good use of our resources to do that.
“My team has worked very hard on pulling together the business case for the increased services to our neighbouring islands and we want to make a success out of this. We, as a Company, are investing heavily in growing our business and, as a result, the economic and social opportunities for the Isle of Man.
“What I would say though, is this is a case of use it or lose it. We cannot, as a Company, afford to back an initiative that loses money over the long term. We’re making a two-year commitment to the new routes to Ireland today. We’ll be giving it our best shot and we’re looking for support from the business community and residents of the Isle of Man to make sure it succeeds.”
