Manx.News traveled on the inaugural sailing to the Isle of Man Government’s new Liverpool Ferry Terminal.
The controversial project started in 2019 and has seen numerous delays and cost spiral from an initial estimate of £20m when the idea was first announced, to £31.3m when the planning permission was granted.
Since then the costs have escalated to over £70m.
The new terminal is situated at the Princes Half Tide Dock, which is about 800yds from the company’s previous berth at the city’s Pier Head.
No Return to Pier Head
The Steam Packet have operated from Pier Head for well over 100 years; but this new start for the company and a new terminal, is mainly due to redevelopment of the area and the increase of cruise ship facilities.
In essence the Steam Packet were told to leave.
The project was originally due to be completed in 2021, but covid and other snags with the site, caused delays and increased costs.
While the terminal had been ready for a while, the Steam Packet made a surprise announcement giving passengers only 24 hours notice that operations would be switched to the new terminal.
Infrastructure Minster Tim Crookall MHK was in Liverpool to witness Manannan berthing for the first time with paying passengers.
He told Manx.News that the day had gone well and without any notable problems.
Snags
Manx.News understands there were some issues with the passenger loading gangway, which meant that disembarking passengers on the first arriving sailing, had to exit the ship via the linkspan, and enter the terminal building via the marshaling area.
On the departing sailing, boarding via the gangway had to be suspended and passengers re-routed to also board the ship via the linkspan walkway.
It is not yet know what the reason or fault was.
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