The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is inviting public feedback via an online survey as it progresses planning for the next ship to join the fleet, due in 2030. The Company is investing heavily in the future of its vital connections between the Island and its neighbours, particularly the strategic link to Liverpool.
The Steam Packet Company is launching the public consultation as the latest milestone in the Company’s long-term investment programme, focused on strengthening year-round connectivity, improving reliability, and ensuring services continue to meet the needs of the Island for generations to come.
Central to the consultation is future connectivity to Liverpool, with IOMSPC exploring options for a next-generation vessel capable of providing a dependable, reliable and affordable service. Future planning must balance performance, comfort, regulatory compliance and sustainability.
The consumer-friendly online survey seeks customer insights to help shape priorities for the future fleet, including views on weighing the necessary trade-offs of speed, comfort, all-weather reliability, onboard amenities, and other customer expectations for a cleaner, quieter and more efficient experience.
The consultation is open to Isle of Man residents and all customers who use Steam Packet services, reflecting the vital role ferry services play in supporting daily life, tourism, business, and the Island’s economy.
Brian Thomson, Managing Director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said:
“Fleet renewal is about investing for the future of the Island. This consultation is an important input to our decision-making process and ensures we consider the desires of our customers who rely on our services. Of course, these desires are in addition to our focus on the critical mission to ensure long-term reliability, year-round connectivity, sustainability and a modern fleet that supports the Island’s future needs.”
The consultation builds on the Steam Packet’s established emphasis on customer engagement.
Previous surveys have played an important role in shaping the design and delivery of Manxman, ensuring the new vessel reflected customer priorities around comfort, reliability and onboard experience, an approach recognised internationally when Manxman won the prestigious ‘Shippax Ro-Pax Award 2024’ for innovation and design.
More recently, customer feedback has also helped inform service development, including the introduction of the new Larne route, as well as informing the pricing initiatives unveiled in October 2024.
Alongside this consultation, IOMSPC continues to run a range of regular customer surveys across its services, enabling the Steam Packet to build a complex picture of its Isle of Man and off-island audiences. This helps to better understand changing travel needs and inform decisions to continuously improve the customer experience.
Feedback from this latest consultation, as well as the results from other surveys, will directly inform future vessel design and investment decisions.
The survey is available from today and will remain open for two weeks. It can be accessed online via www.steam-packet.com/public-consultation Responses will help shape the next phase of fleet investment, ensuring the Steam Packet continues to deliver a resilient, future-ready service for the Isle of Man.
ENDS