Steam Packet takes on extra vessels to cope with TT traffic

Steam Packet takes on extra vessels to cope with TT traffic - Printable Version

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Steam Packet takes on extra vessels to cope with TT traffic - Malcolm - 15-05-2013

The Steam Packet is taking on extra vessels to help it cope with its busiest two weeks of the year.

The freighter MV Arrow will return to Manx waters later this month, to supplement the fleet for the TT festival, which will see 11,600 motorcycles arrive in the island.

MV Arrow was chartered for TT2012 and will be used to provide extra capacity for freight, supplementing the company’s vessels Ben-my-Chree and Manannan, and the previously confirmed charter of fast craft P&O Express

Freighter MV Arrow

In addition, an extra Manannan service has been added to the schedule for May 22, leaving the Isle of Man for Heysham at 7.30am and returning at midday.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said:

'We originally had plans in place to ensure we had sufficient space for freight and vehicles for this year’s TT, without the need to charter a freighter.

‘However, bringing in MV Arrow on charter from Seatruck Ferries will improve the service to freight customers, proving them with extra capacity and giving us additional operational resilience for what is obviously our busiest time of the year.

‘MV Arrow can take around 1,000 metres of freight and will assist with peak inbound and outbound periods. It’s an expensive “insurance” policy for us, but it demonstrates our commitment to the TT.’

The P & O Express in Belfast

The number of motorbikes booked to visit the island for the TT is up 2.5 per cent on the comparable point last year, which in turn was up 4 per cent on 2011.

Overall inbound passenger figures for the TT period are up 4 per cent on equivalent forward bookings for last year.

‘With all our additional sailings we now have an extra 35,000 seats for this TT period, compared with normal spring period capacities,’ Mr Woodward said.