DoI Minister Tim Crookall has outlined the conditions under which the Steam Packet is allowed to bring freight through Liverpool.
With Manxman due to sail to Merseyside on weekends in the winter months, Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas asked when freight can be moved through the Merseyside port.
When permission was granted for the government’s £70m+ terminal, restrictions on the use movement of freight was also implemented.
Minister Tim Crookall said that there are “limited instances where the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool can be used as a facility for the movement of freight, dedicated freight vehicles or vessels carrying freight”.
He added: “There is a designated freight trailer area at the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool. This naturally limits the movement of dedicated freight vehicles and volume of freight carried from the Island via the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool.”
When?
The Steam Packet is allowed to use Liverpool for freight when the following conditions when alternative facilities at Heysham Port or the Twelve Quays Terminal at Birkenhead are unavailable to provide freight services to the island.
There are also provisions for emergency situations, when it is an unaccompanied trailer or on a Saturday or Sunday during November, December, January, February and March.
Mr Thomas added that there are also some circumstances when freight can be carried on a Monday during the winter months.
That would be allowed when “the sailing to Liverpool commenced on the Sunday and the reason for arrival for on a Monday was due to a material adverse weather or an emergency mechanical failure on the aforementioned Saturday or Sunday which resulted in a delay to a scheduled ferry sailing or the bringing forward of a scheduled ferry sailing”.
“The number of unaccompanied trailers is limited to 10 on the days above in each direction.”
Mr Crookall also confirmed that any exceptions to the prohibition on night-time sailings that allows for for TT and MGP periods does not apply to freight.
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