#FerryNews - In an announcement today, the Manx Government has plans to acquire the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IoMSPC) for £124m.

If approved by Tynwald later this month, BBC News writes the deal would see the government commit to purchase 100% of MIOM Ltd, the IoMSPC's parent company.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: "Acquiring the national asset is a once-in-a-generation opportunity."

The IoMSPC provides freight, passenger and vehicle services between Douglas and five ports in the UK and Ireland.

The government has been considering its options since rejecting the company's revised offer of a new strategic sea services agreement in July 2017.

It had proposed to invest £170m in services - including spending £65m on two "state-of-the-art" ships - had its contract been extended.

Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan said: "The deal would immediately bring ferry operations into public ownership but government would not take over the day-to-day running of services."

He said government could "put in place a new agreement within 12 months" if the deal goes ahead.

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