ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY
A HOLIDAY TO THE ISLE OF MAN THAT STARTS ON THE FERRY Powered by Inside Marine
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ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY
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I PROFILE
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IoMSPCo) was founded almost two hundred years ago, making it the world’s oldest continually operating passenger ship service. The company provides freight, passenger and vehicle services between the Isle of Man Sea Terminal in Douglas and four ports in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Managing Director Brian Thomson explained to Hannah Barnett how this historic, yet modern and highly functional service is an attraction in itself.
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ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY
I PROFILE
he Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
T
said Mr Thomson. “The vessels, and the
was founded in 1830 because the
sailors on them, are remembered and
island needed a reliable service.
celebrated on the island regularly.”
Thomson, it has flourished ever since, pro-
as it is owned by the Isle of Man
viding islanders with strong links to the rest
Government. But it is nonetheless essen-
of the British Isles, and vice versa.
tial that the ferry lines remain economi-
And, according to Managing Director Brian
“We currently have services to Ireland
The IoMSPCo has no direct competitors
cally viable. One of the busiest times of
and England,” Mr Thomson reflected. “I think
the year is late spring when the Isle of
that was a key connection for the island,
Man TT motorcycle race, which has been
as these days the population is divided
running since 1907, attracts fans and
amongst those places. Even people who
participants to cross in their thousands.
are mostly Manx will have a connection to the UK, so the service has probably shaped
Investing in vessels
the population.”
One of the most innovative ways the
Company vessels were requisitioned
IoMSPCo keeps moving forward is with
by the Royal Navy during both the First
its investment into new vessels. In May
and Second World Wars, and the impact
2023, the company’s newbuild Manxman
of those momentous events can still be
began the long voyage home from Ulsan,
felt on the island today. “Some of our
South Korea, to Douglas, Isle of Man.
ships were sunk and people were lost,”
The flagship vessel was built in a South
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Korean shipyard, an investment of over £78 million. The vessel has been specifically designed for the Heysham to Douglas route. It has a larger freight and passenger capacity than other services and is generally more luxurious, with a better choice of lounges and food. “Manxman is built to offer that full customer experience,” Mr Thomson said. “Not that the current customer experience was not adequate, but we wanted to offer some real value for money. Ferry travel isn't cheap, with fuel and wages to account for. We want customers to enjoy their experience and to feel they get a
moment. I think people just want more space
mini cruise for their money. A holiday to
post-Covid – and to enjoy some privacy.”
the Isle of Man starts on the ferry.”
Another notable vessel run by the IoMSPCo
Construction started on Manxman in
is the Manannan, which is a high-speed
2020 and continued, despite the chal-
craft. Manannan started service on the
lenges posed by the pandemic. “We
Douglas to Liverpool route in May 2009 and
worked through the issues caused by
has transported passengers in comfort ever
the distance and restrictions,” said
since. The spacious accommodation offers
Mr Thomson. “I think we have built an
a variety of seating areas, including two
amazing partnership. Other companies
cinema lounges, a large bar area at the stern
struggled to build vessels during that time,
and the Coast-to-Coast café.
so we are really proud that we managed it, and on budget too.” Other highlights of Manxman include
As a parallel project with Manxman, Manannan has also been recently refurbished, with the intention of bringing the
the introduction of pet facilities. According
interior design of the latter in line with
to Mr Thomson, this initiative comes as
the newbuild. “We’ve invested a million
increasingly more customers choose
pounds in this refit. We want to give pas-
to bring their dogs on holiday. Manxman
sengers on the high-speed craft a similar
offers canine-friendly cabins and a spe-
experience,” explained Mr Thomson.
cialised walking area. “There are more standard and premium
Freight services
cabins on the new vessel as well,” he added.
Alongside its reliably luxurious passenger
“Cabins are becoming more popular. There
services, the IoMSPCo is the main freight
seems to be a lot of demand for them at the
supplier to the Isle of Man. This makes
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ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY
I PROFILE
up roughly half the company’s customer
we could be fitted in for a dry dock space
base and runs from Heysham. Even during
if we needed it. That relationship between
business-as-usual, the near sole respon-
us and the shipyards is so well established.
sibility to supply an island is an important
Most people in this company have been
responsibility. Through the pandemic, it
here over 20 years. So, they know our
was a vital one.
suppliers and enjoy great relationships.”
“We ran a service all through Covid, which supplied the island with freight goods and
A bright future
food,” Mr Thomson said. “This was before
Looking ahead, the IoMSPCo is making
I joined the company in July 2021. The staff
all the right moves to ensure it will be
deserve a lot of credit for keeping everyone
around for another two hundred years.
supplied. It's something that gets forgotten
Sustainability is the next challenge. The
because everyone is moving on from Covid
company is already on its way to running
no: but I will certainly remember it forever,
as a green ferry operator after Manxman
because I was able to feed my family during
was fitted with pioneering diesel-electric
the time we were in lockdown.”
hybrid engines.
Retaining links with the UK remains
“At the time we ordered them, they were
important, and it is fortunate that the
the most efficient hybrid diesel engines in
IoMSPCo uses dry docks in Liverpool and
the world,” Mr Thomson said. “We want to
Belfast that are only a ferry ride away. The
look at the development of fully electric
company’s secret to a strong relationship
ferries as well as low carbon fuel types in
with its supply chain is cooperation,
the future.”
according to Mr Thomson.
As Mr Thomson conceded, the avail-
“We like to give shipyards warning of
ability of low carbon fuel is still far too
our visit a year in advance,” he continued.
unpredictable to invest in yet. But it is
“I think they appreciate knowing when we
definitely on the, agenda alongside the
are coming. But at the same time, we also
IoMSPCo’s core founding purpose: to be
know if there was an emergency, we
an outstanding ferry operator for tourists
have a good enough relationship that
and islanders alike.
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Managing Director Brian Thomson
“Our vision is to continue to consolidate a reliable service, while simultaneously improving quality and value for money everywhere that we can,” Mr Thomson concluded. “We must overcome the global challenges that everyone is facing, like the economy. Our goal is to make sure we still are an attractive proposition for tourists. But also, as a company, to provide links to the UK and service the islanders in the way we always have.”
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