The future of sea services is in the hands of Tynwald.

The position has been confirmed after the court unanimously noted two new reports from off-Island consultants.

Their recommendations, which include assessing putting services out to open tender, state asset purchasing and the franchising of services by government, will now be considered alongside the Strategic Sea Services Policy.

That was approved by Tynwald in June and sets out eight overarching principles to be upheld once the government's User Agreement with the Steam Packet ends in 2020, although there is an option to extend the deal to 2026.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer says securing reliable, good value ferry services over the next three decades 'will require some level of government intervention' to protect the 'social and economic wellbeing of the Isle of Man'.