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Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has secured a long term charter for its freight vessel Arrow.
Arrow will operate in the Channel Islands, where it is already a familiar sight, for 12 months with international ferry operator DFDS.
It is expected the vessel will predominantly operate on the Jersey to Portsmouth route.
The charter arrangement will come into effect on 24th March. Arrow will undertake port trials and pilotage training before entering regular service.
Arrow was purchased by IOMSPC in September 2022 from its previous owners in order to ensure compliance with the Sea Services Agreement prior to the arrival of new-build flagship Manxman in mid-2023.
Under the terms of the Sea Services Agreement, once Manxman joined the fleet, conventional RoPax vessel Ben-my-Chree became the designated fleet back-up.
Arrow will remain in Douglas until Ben-my-Chree’s current dry-dock period is completed, it will then proceed to Teeside for its own dry-docking before commencing work with DFDS.
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Managing Director Brian Thomson commented, ‘We’re pleased to have secured a long term charter for Arrow with a renowned international operator such as DFDS. This gives us security while the future fleet strategy is agreed with our stakeholders.’
IOMSPC will continue to operate its usual timetabled services with Manxman and Manannan (from March 28th, 2025) to Heysham, Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin. Ben-my-Chree will operate in a back-up role.
