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Ferry operator, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company have put forward several options to resolve an ongoing row over crew contract changes, the firm's boss has said.

Managing Director, Brian Thomson said "different" proposals had been made at discussions with the seafarers’ trade union Nautilus International and the Manx Industrial Relations Service.

Mr. Thomson commented that it was "too early a stage" to discuss details but he was "hopeful" a resolution could be found.

It follows cuts to services as union members work-to-rule.

A rostered officer who had taken compassionate leave, was not replaced as no cover could be found, leading to Douglas-Heysham passenger crossings having to be reduced. This according to the Steam Packet involves one daytime sailing of the newbuild flagship, Manxman each day for a fortnight, which began yesterday as Afloat reported.

The company’s freight-only vessel, MV Arrow will also carry out overnight services for the Manx government-owned ferry firm over the same period on the Isle of Man-England route.

Since the introduction of the £76m Manxman in August, the dispute has deteriorated and centres around the live aboard arrangements for crew on the flagship during rest periods.

More from BBC News on the dispute. 

Published in Ferry

As an island economy, a healthy maritime sector is key to our national competitiveness. Virtually all our imports and exports pass through Irish ports.

Ireland is dependent on ports and shipping services to transport goods and 90% of our trade is moved though Irish ports. Shipping and maritime transport services make a significant contribution to Ireland’s ocean economy, with the sector generating €2.3 billion in turnover and employing over 5,000 people in 2018.

Ireland’s maritime industry continues to grow and progress each year with Irish ports and shipping companies making significant investments. The ports sector in Ireland is currently undergoing a number of expansions and developments with Dublin Port’s Alexandra Basin development, the development of Ringaskiddy in Cork by Port of Cork and the development of Shannon Foynes Port. Along with these major investments, shipping companies are also investing heavily in new tonnage, with Irish Ferries, CLdN and Stena leading new build programmes.

These pages cover the following sectoral areas: shipowners, harbour authorities, shipbrokers, freight forwarders and contractors, cruise liner operators, port users, seamen, merchants, academic institutions, shipyards and repair facilities, naval architects, navy and defence personnel.

Our pages are covering some of the most notable arrivals around our coast and reporting too on port development and shipping news.

This section of the site deals with Port and Shipping News on our largest ports Dublin Port, Port of Cork, the Shannon Estuary, Galway Harbour and Belfast Lough.

A recent study carried out for the Irish Ports Association (IPA) totalled 75.7 billion during 2004 and their net economic impact was some 5.5 billion supporting around 57, 500 full time employees.

Liam Lacey, Director of the Marine Institute’s Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) said, “The Irish maritime industry can look to the future with confidence. It has shown itself to be resilient and agile in responding to challenges. Over the past decade, it has had to respond to the challenges of the financial crisis of 2008, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and recent challenges. Ireland’s maritime sector has continued to underpin our economy by maintaining vital shipping links for both trade and tourism.”