The chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet has said a "clear government statement" is needed on whether the firm can sell its current backup ferry.

The Steam Packet outlined plans to sell the 26-year-old ropax Ben-My-Chree in its last annual report, which was published last summer.

At a Tynwald (Manx parliament) select committee on the regulation of the island, a government-owned firm heard that the company's strategy was to retain the ro-ro freight-only MV Arrow as a backup vessel instead because the costs of retaining the Ben-my-Chree were "twice as much.".

The chairman, Lars Ugland, said a year after delivering its report, the company was still waiting for a reply on whether it could sell the Dutch-built ferry that served the main Douglas-Heysham route.

At the same committee, held earlier this month, Treasury Minister Alex Allinson said that the future role of Ben-My-Chree should be considered as part of a review of the company's service contract.

More BBC News reports on the Sea Services Agreement.

At a Tynwald Select Committee, it was discussed whether the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company needs to maintain the former flagship ferry that served on the Douglas-Heysham route.

The matter was raised at the committee sitting yesterday, as the Ben-my-Chree is a backup freight vessel now and that the IOMSPCo also owns the MV Arrow, which was acquired in 2022.

Manx Treasury Minister Alex Allinson confirmed while giving evidence to the committee’s session on the topic that the ferry operator is currently required to keep the former flagship as part of the Sea Services Agreement.

Last year’s arrival in the summer of the new flagship Manxman, which took place in August, saw the ‘Ben’ taken off regular passenger sailings on the Douglas-Heysham route, the islands only year-round lifeline operated service.

Speaking on ManxRadio, Dr. Allinson says the future of the ferry remains uncertain. Click here to listen to the minister from the station’s audio clip.

A Manx Parliament (Tynwald) select committee is looking into the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which will involve evidence sessions this month.

The Tynwald reports 3FM, will host the two evidence sessions as the select committee is investigating the sea services agreement and the government's shareholder status with the IOMSPCo.

The ferry company operates a year-round Douglas-Heysham route in addition to three seasonal routes linking Belfast, Dublin, and Liverpool, and where a new terminal is to open. Operating these routes involves two ferries (one in reserve), a fast ferry (seasonal-only), and a freight-only ferry, which is called upon during busy periods and relief duties.

The select committee’s session today is to take evidence from Treasury Minister Alex Allinson, Chief Financial Officer at the Treasury, Caldric Randall, and Interim Executive Officer for Financial Governance, Sarah De-Yoxall.

This morning at 10.30 a.m., the committee will sit in the Legislative Chambers.