The managing director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet has discussed a problem found during sea trials of the Manx operator's new ferry built in a shipyard in Asia.
The Island will have to wait longer to see the newbuild Manxman which was built at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.
It was during sea trials (started in December) that a significant fault had developed in the gearbox which led to the ropax returning to the shipyard.
The managing director, Brian Thomson spoke on the situation which can be heard on Manx Radio via the link here. He said that the gearbox failed and will have to be replaced.
The Steam Packet said that there will be no impact on existing or future bookings with all sailings carried out by the existing vessels in the fleet. Ben-My-Chree and Manannan.
As for the Manxman's arrival, this however remains unclear when the delivery is to take place this year.
The larger newbuild will lead to the replacement of Ben-My-Chree which has served on the main Douglas-Heysham route since 1998.
