A new Diesel Electric Hybrid ferry being built for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company will be flagged with the Isle of Man Ship Registry, extending a longstanding relationship between the two Manx organisations.
The Steam Packet Company announced in July that it had signed a contract with South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for a purpose-built roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) vessel. The new ship will replace the firm’s conventional ferry, Ben-my-Chree, offering considerably more passenger space, enhanced on-board facilities and greater freight capability.
The Isle of Man Ship Registry is one of the world’s leading registers of ships and superyachts. Its fleet already includes the Ben-my-Chree and the Steam Packet Company’s wave-piercing high-speed catamaran, Manannan.
Chris Martin, a Senior Surveyor at the Isle of Man Ship Registry, said the registry’s role will include liaising with the Steam Packet Company, its chosen classification society Lloyd’s Register, and the shipyard during the build. The team will also advise on any novel design features to ensure compliance with international conventions. Once the new ferry enters service, the registry team will continue to provide advice and regulatory oversight.
He said: “The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is less than a mile down the road from our office and we have always had a good working relationship. We are very pleased to see that continuing with this new vessel.
“It is the Company’s first new-build vessel in 23 years, so it is an exciting project for the Steam Packet Company and the Isle of Man. From the registry’s side there is a lot more involvement when you are dealing with a new-build compared to flagging an existing ship. Our experience of new-build commercial vessels puts us in a great position to provide support throughout the construction process and beyond.”
A Diesel Electric Hybrid power system will be one of a number of features aimed at making the new ship as environmentally efficient as possible. It will also need to be capable of tolerating winter weather conditions in the Irish Sea when sailing between Douglas and Heysham, Lancashire. London-based design and engineering consultancy Houlder has been appointed to act as technical advisor during the design and build process.
Construction is due to start in the middle of next year, with delivery scheduled for spring 2023. Once in service, the Ben-my-Chree will be retained as a back-up vessel, enhancing security of the Steam Packet Company’s passenger and freight links, and providing increased capacity during major annual events such as the Isle of Man TT and Classic TT.
The Steam Packet Company announced in July that it had signed a contract with South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for a purpose-built roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) vessel. The new ship will replace the firm’s conventional ferry, Ben-my-Chree, offering considerably more passenger space, enhanced on-board facilities and greater freight capability.
The Isle of Man Ship Registry is one of the world’s leading registers of ships and superyachts. Its fleet already includes the Ben-my-Chree and the Steam Packet Company’s wave-piercing high-speed catamaran, Manannan.
Chris Martin, a Senior Surveyor at the Isle of Man Ship Registry, said the registry’s role will include liaising with the Steam Packet Company, its chosen classification society Lloyd’s Register, and the shipyard during the build. The team will also advise on any novel design features to ensure compliance with international conventions. Once the new ferry enters service, the registry team will continue to provide advice and regulatory oversight.
He said: “The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is less than a mile down the road from our office and we have always had a good working relationship. We are very pleased to see that continuing with this new vessel.
“It is the Company’s first new-build vessel in 23 years, so it is an exciting project for the Steam Packet Company and the Isle of Man. From the registry’s side there is a lot more involvement when you are dealing with a new-build compared to flagging an existing ship. Our experience of new-build commercial vessels puts us in a great position to provide support throughout the construction process and beyond.”
A Diesel Electric Hybrid power system will be one of a number of features aimed at making the new ship as environmentally efficient as possible. It will also need to be capable of tolerating winter weather conditions in the Irish Sea when sailing between Douglas and Heysham, Lancashire. London-based design and engineering consultancy Houlder has been appointed to act as technical advisor during the design and build process.
Construction is due to start in the middle of next year, with delivery scheduled for spring 2023. Once in service, the Ben-my-Chree will be retained as a back-up vessel, enhancing security of the Steam Packet Company’s passenger and freight links, and providing increased capacity during major annual events such as the Isle of Man TT and Classic TT.
Isle of Man Ship Registry background
Based in Douglas on the Isle of Man, the Isle of Man Ship Registry is one of the most respected registries in the world, consistently appearing at the top of the Paris MoU White List which ranks registries by performance.
The Registry is a quality flag of choice, a bespoke choice, that offers reliability and quality of service. The registry is a Category One member of Red Ensign Group and International Registry.
The registry is run by a team of professionals dedicated to providing the very best in service. Backed by sophisticated electronic systems, the register is able to register ships quickly and efficiently to suit all time zones and has on-line systems to smooth the processes for clients. An ISO 9001 and 14000 certified organisation, the Ship Registry operates efficiently and consistently to exceed the standards expected of a modern Flag State.
With its in-house technical expertise, the register provides advice and regulatory oversight for the ships and yachts on the register, in a pragmatic and commercially sensitive manner. This partnership working and service-culture is what attracts clients to register more of their ships in the Isle of Man. Its portfolio of clients includes many of the world’s blue chip ship owners and prestigious super yachts.
With 24/7 response and a growing network of surveyors in key locations, the Ship Registry provides a swift response to allow owners and managers to keep their ships operating in a competitive global industry. Backed by a Government that strongly supports the maritime sector, the Registry is operated on a cost-neutral platform, allowing its fee structure to be extremely competitive.
The Isle of Man Ship Registry offers high quality and superb service at a low cost. The registry combines all fees into one annual fee payment whereas some open registries charge for almost all additional services. At the Isle of Man Ship Registry there is no annual tonnage tax based on size of ship, no inspection fee, no consular fee, no casualty investigation fees and it offers a discount for multi ship fleets as well as fee incentives for environmentally friendly ships. This combination of quality service and a competitive fee structure ensures clients receive great value for money.
The Registry is a quality flag of choice, a bespoke choice, that offers reliability and quality of service. The registry is a Category One member of Red Ensign Group and International Registry.
The registry is run by a team of professionals dedicated to providing the very best in service. Backed by sophisticated electronic systems, the register is able to register ships quickly and efficiently to suit all time zones and has on-line systems to smooth the processes for clients. An ISO 9001 and 14000 certified organisation, the Ship Registry operates efficiently and consistently to exceed the standards expected of a modern Flag State.
With its in-house technical expertise, the register provides advice and regulatory oversight for the ships and yachts on the register, in a pragmatic and commercially sensitive manner. This partnership working and service-culture is what attracts clients to register more of their ships in the Isle of Man. Its portfolio of clients includes many of the world’s blue chip ship owners and prestigious super yachts.
With 24/7 response and a growing network of surveyors in key locations, the Ship Registry provides a swift response to allow owners and managers to keep their ships operating in a competitive global industry. Backed by a Government that strongly supports the maritime sector, the Registry is operated on a cost-neutral platform, allowing its fee structure to be extremely competitive.
The Isle of Man Ship Registry offers high quality and superb service at a low cost. The registry combines all fees into one annual fee payment whereas some open registries charge for almost all additional services. At the Isle of Man Ship Registry there is no annual tonnage tax based on size of ship, no inspection fee, no consular fee, no casualty investigation fees and it offers a discount for multi ship fleets as well as fee incentives for environmentally friendly ships. This combination of quality service and a competitive fee structure ensures clients receive great value for money.


