The new Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's ferry has reached the completion phase of dry-building at an Asian shipyard with the company celebrating this key event of the Manxman's construction process.  

Despite the extreme challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, Manxman floated out of drydock on 14th June, exactly on schedule. The custom-built ferry was taken by tugs to an outfitting berth where the next phase of the build has commenced.

The official certificate of launching was presented to Jim Royston, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s Fleet Operations and Project Manager, in a ceremony held to mark the occasion by HD Shin, President and CEO of HMD Dock Yard.

Brian Thomson, Managing Director of the Steam Packet Company, said: ‘The contract with the shipyard was signed two years ago now, in that contract 14th June 2022 was specified for the launch of Manxman and we are immensely proud as a company, to have achieved that milestone. This has been achieved despite facing closed borders, travel restrictions and global supply chain issues. For everyone working on the project this is a remarkable achievement.’

‘We look forward to sharing details of Manxman’s continued development and ultimate delivery to Manx waters in 2023.”

Afloat.ie adds the Manxman is to enter service on the company's main year round operated Douglas-Heysham route where the Manx-England link is currently served by ro-pax Ben-My-Chree which entered service in 1998. 

To keep abreast of further phases on the Manxman, the Steam-Packet has a blog for the latest progress updates.