Hopes for Liverpool terminal to open in Spring, but no ‘firm date’ set

The Steam Packet Company is hoping the new ferry terminal will commence operations in Spring 2024.

The Manannan is set to be the first vessel to test the berth and operate from the new terminal.

Brian Thomson, Managing Director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, said:

“All being well, we are on schedule to commence operations from the new Isle of Man Government terminal in Spring 2024, but until the berth fit has taken place and we’ve started berth trials we won’t be in a position to commit to a firm date for the first sailing.”

Brian Thomson, Managing Director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

There is a contingency plan for Manannan’s first sailings to take place via the existing terminal at Pier Head.

Liverpool berth trials

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) is working towards having the first berth fit trials in early March.

This will allow DoI’s team, their contractors, plus crew and engineers from the Company, to make sure that the berth is aligned properly and fit for purpose.

It will also be an opportunity to test the Passenger Access System operates as expected. 

Mooring trials

Providing the berth fit goes to plan, the Company then expects to be in a position to undertake mooring trials and familiarisation towards the end of March. 

According to the Company, this is quite an intensive set of manoeuvres requiring vessels to be brought alongside at all states of tide and in different weather conditions to build a full picture for the Company’s risk assessments and safety management system.

Each Master will have to be familiarised with the new berth for each vessel expected to operate to the new Liverpool terminal. 

Manxman

The Manxman is first set to take passengers to the new liverpool terminal in November 2024. 

As the project nears completion, the Steam Packet Company is preparing to commence berth fit trials, and a programme of mooring trials, familiarisation and safety training. 

The vessel is expected to visit the new terminal for trials in April, “provided everything runs to plan”.

Safety is top priority

Thomson said: “We’re very excited about the prospect of improved passenger experience that the new terminal promises, but we also have to be realistic about timelines.

“Taking a ship, particularly a passenger vessel, to a new berth for the first time is an involved process, and as we always say, safety is our top priority.

Brian Thomson, Managing Director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

He said that this has been a “bigger project than most people expected and a lot has changed since it started out”.

Commercial underpinnings

“One thing that has changed is the commercial underpinnings. We’ve been working with the Department of Infrastructure to re-evaluate the heads of terms that were signed early on in the process,” Thomson said.

“I’m pleased to report those talks are going well and we should be in a position to sign off on the lease shortly.

Brian Thomson, Managing Director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

“This will allow us to get started on the works that we need to do within the terminal and around the facility to be ready to welcome passengers as soon as possible.”