The Steam Packet is discussing its replacement for Manannan to balance speed with the ability to handle freight and operate in the winter season.
It is planned that a new ferry will be in service in the next five years, by which time Manannan will be around 30 years old.
On slides shown at the Government Conference, the company said a like for like replacement for the high speed craft is ‘not feasible’.
Speaking at the conference, MD Brian Thomson gave hints at what the company is discussing internally while also emphasising that the public will be consulted before any decisions are made on the vessel.
Mr Thomson told the conference that coherence with existing and future emissions rules will be a “challenge” for any new vessel, in the same way it has been for other ferry companies.
Capabilities
He said that an “interesting part of the design phase of a new vessel is “the capability deputise for freight”, while also providing passengers with the sort of onboard experience enjoyed on Manxman.
Speaking to Manx.News, Mr Thomson said: “I think that [freight] was just one of the considerations.
“So I think there’s a number of areas that the stakeholders want to see. You know, being able to deputise for freight, better passenger comfort.
Liverpool
“We want to keep some sort of speed as well, because that quick journey Liverpool is good, so I think the consultation that we’re going to have with the public is an open one.
“There’s no decisions been made, but there’s considerations and expertise within and on the board and within the company, so we all have opinions, but those will all be balanced off against the stakeholder needs. So that’s just one of them.
Having mentioned the growth in passenger to numbers through Liverpool now the Manxman operates a winter weekend service to Merseyside, Mr Thomson said it would be ideal for a replacement for Manannan to be able to operate that route as well.
Payment
The MD also confirmed how the company plans to pay for a new vessel, which we recently reported is likely to cost over £100m, through its own reserves and loans.
He said: “The current finance model for a new vessel will be to raise 50% of the cost from the company, from our cash reserves and the rest will be financed.
“So there won’t be any taxpayers money going to pay for that, which I think is one of the confusions for people, where I think they think government owned company, all the money must be taxpayers money, and it’s not.
“It’s the company’s money that’s been saved, for wanting a better word, that will go towards paid for this.”
He also said that the company’s pricing will continue to be governed by the Sea Services Agreement between itself and the government and not the need to pay for new ships.
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