Displaying items by tag: Sailings 2024

8th November 2023

Sailings to Dublin by Isle of Man Steam Packet in 2024 will Not Involve New Flagship Manxman

The seasonal Douglas-Dublin ferry route operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet is set to conduct 18 sailings to and from the Irish capital next year.

In the House of Keys earlier (last) week as IOM Today writes, the figures for the sailing timetable were revealed by Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson when answering questions relating to the Manx Government owned ferry-company.

Currently, the Steam Packet has no plans to deploy its flagship, the Manxman (serving Douglas-Heysham year round) to also run on the route to Ireland due to certain 'limitations'.

Dr Allinson said that while Dublin has 'never been a regular port' for the Steam Packet, the fast-ferry craft, Manannan will still conduct a number of crossings to the Irish port in 2024.

The Manannan, Afloat adds has been tracked today to Douglas where the final seasonal sailing on the route connecting Liverpool ended with the high-speed craft berthing in the Manx capital on 29 October.

Three days later, the former flagship Ben-My-Chree departed Douglas to arrive at H&W’s Belfast shipyard to the repair/outfitting quay. At the adjacent Belfast Dry-Dock is where Irish Ferries Dublin-Cherbourg cruise ferry W.B. Yeats is occupying for a routine annual overhaul.

Taking its place on the Ireland-France route is the Epsilon which mostly operates Irish Ferries Dublin-Holyhead route, however the ropax was replaced by the newly chartered Norbay from P&O, having entered service on the Ireland-Wales route yesterday (see report).

Published in Ferry

Tagged under

About Foyle Port

Foyle Port, located in the North West region of Northern Ireland, is estimated to handle around 2 million tonnes of cargo per year, with a trade value of approximately £1 billion. The port plays a crucial role in facilitating the import of essential agri-products, supporting around 20,000 farms in the region, as well as various local business sectors such as fuel/oil and construction industries. The organisation supports an estimated 1000 direct and indirect jobs.

Originally located in the bustling heart of Derry City, the Commissioners relocated the port to its current deep-water location at Lisahally in 1993. The terminal boasts an impressive 440 metres of quay and can accommodate large vessels of up to 62,000 DWT. Foyle Port is primarily a bulk port and a significant importer of essential commodities such as oil, coal, animal feed, fertiliser, and plywood, all of which are vital for the North West rural region.

Since 2003, the organisation has experienced significant growth, doubling both turnover and profit and attracting approximately £100 million of inward investment to the region. This investment has supported projects, including a fertiliser plant, an oil tank farm, and a biomass power station.

Established by Act of Parliament in 1854, the Londonderry Port & Harbour Commissioners is an independent statutory authority with a duty to develop, maintain and operate to the highest standards of efficiency, financial prudence, environmental awareness, safety, and security. The Port is independent of the Government and is self-financing. All financial surpluses are reinvested in the business for the benefit of future generations of stakeholders.