Construction of Manxman has begun at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea with the vessel to become the new flagship ferry for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. 

The first steel cut for the 133m-long Manxman took place yesterday at the Asian shipyard contracted to build the ferry which is due to replace Ben-my-Chree when the ro-pax enters service in 2023.

The new ferry will be able to carry 949 passengers and 495m2 of additional space for freight and vehicles.

Attending the steel cutting ceremony in Ulsan were officials from the Steam Packet Co, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Sea Quest Marine Project Management (specialist shipbuilding consultants), Houlder Naval Architects and Lloyds Register (Class Surveyor).

At the milestone event to cut the steel involved a formal pushing of the button to mark the first piece of steel being cut. The event signified the detail design of the vessel comprising a total of around 300 detailed plans. This was finalised and agreed by the Steam Packet's Project Team for construction to commence.

Plasma files are produced from the approved construction drawings to allow the shipyard’s plate cutting machines to automatically and accurately cut each piece of the vessel. There will be up to two months of plate cutting, panel production, plate bending and pipe production before block construction, and then keel laying, can commence.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Managing Director Brian Thomson said: ‘The steel cutting ceremony is a milestone occasion and cause for celebration which signifies that after years of planning, the construction of Manxman is under way. The Project Team has been working incredibly hard to ensure the project stays on track and it’s fantastic to see everything progressing as scheduled.

‘This is a very exciting time for the Company and we’re looking forward to keeping the Island community up-to-date with the progress of Manxman ahead of her coming into service, scheduled for spring 2023.’