Steam Packet managing director Brian Thomson says trailer priority during recent freight disruption is determined entirely by haulage companies, not the Steam Packet.
Thomson told Manx.News that the company does not decide which trailers move first: “The Steam Packet doesn’t prioritize trailers. The priority list comes from the haulage companies. So they will tell us what trailers they want on first, second, third, fourth.”
He also said that daily conversations continue with the Department of Infrastructure over space constraints at Douglas Harbour.
He said managing limited space at Douglas remains a challenge, with the port needing to keep cargo flowing rather than becoming a holding area.
Mr Thomson said: “It isn’t a car park or a trailer park. Things need to be moved just to keep the flow coming and going.”
He also explained that “commodity trailers”, lower‑value cargo such as building and farming materials, are charged at a reduced rate and are not prioritised during high‑demand periods, while full‑price trailers receive priority.
Thomson said freight is currently moving well: “As of Monday, there were no commodities at Heysham Port, so everything is getting moving with the Ben and the Arrow.”
