(17/06/2018 05:44)childwallblues Wrote: [ -> ]1. Has the sale to the Manx Government gone ahead yet?
2. Are/were the current owners still the Australian McQuarrie Bank?
1) Yes
2) No. Macquarie sold the company to Banco Espirito Santo (Portugal) in 2011
Ben-my-Chree is set to be replaced as the Steam Packet's flagship by a "Heysham Max" (142m) sized vessel within the next two years. It is planned for her to be retained as back up for peak periods (TT and Manx Grand Prix) but available for charter to other operators outside of those times
Fastcraft Manannan (ex Incat 050) is due a refurbishment by early 2021 and set for replacement by 2026
A contract has been signed for a new conventional vessel which is due to begin construction next year
The as yet unnamed vessel is to be built by Hyundai in South Korea and will be the largest vessel ever built for the company
More here:
https://www.steam-packet.com/information...new_vessel
It has been announced today that the new vessel is to be named Manxman
It will be the third vessel to carry the name
When the new Manxman comes into service this will increase the number of vessels to three. She will replace the Ben-My-Chree on the Douglas-Heysham service. The Ben-My-Chree is to stay in service for additional services and charters.
The new ferry terminal at Princes Dock, Liverpool is due to open in March 2024. It is two years late and overbudget.
IOMSPC is having problems with its new ferry Manxman. It is reported that she cannot sail in bad weather and is having problems accessing the port of Heysham.
The fast craft Mannaman will leave the Wet Basin at Cammell Lairds shipyard on Tuesday at 1100 and proceed up river to the new IOM Ferry Terninal at Liverpool to commence berthing trials.
IOMSPC ferry Ben-My Chree 1998/12747 grt has arrived today in the Wet Basin of Cammell Lairds shipyard, Birkenhead to be laid up.
IOMSPC fast ferry Mannaman was unable to carry berthing trials at the new Liverpool terminal earlier this week due to exceptionally low tides.