Could Steam Packet pull out of Heysham?

The Steam Packet has signalled it is considering pulling out of Heysham harbour and concentrating its services on Liverpool instead.

In a radio interview, chief executive Mark Woodward said Liverpool was a ‘clear favourite’ of the majority of passengers and freight customers.

He said that the creation of a bespoke, in-river berth at Liverpool would be ‘serious option’ for the Steam Packet looking to the long-term, allowing the use of bigger and more capable ships.

Mr Woodward’s comments came as Liverpool city councillors revealed they were in talks with the Steam Packet about sharing the landing stage of a new River Mersey cruise liner terminal at the Pier Head.

A planning application is to be submitted over the next few weeks to build a secure temporary baggage and customs facility at Princes Dock, opposite the Royal Liver Building.

In his interview, Mr Woodward said there may well be arguments about whether Heysham was the right harbour for the company in the long term.

He said the Steam Packet had long and historic links with Liverpool which was ‘clearly the destination of choice’ for the majority of passengers and freight customers.

‘I think there is no doubt that’s a serious option for us which would improve one end of the route,’ he said.

But he said there would remain a problem at the Isle of Man end of the route as the current size of the harbour at Douglas would limit ships to little larger than the Ben-my-Chree.

He ruled out Birkenhead as a long-term option as the Twelve Quays berth was contractually tied up to another operator.

Mr Woodward, who was unavailable for comment as the Examiner went to press, admitted that Mezeron’s short-lived experiment in ferry freight competition has left the Steam Packet with ‘grave concerns’ about funding future fleet investment.

Heysham was the port that Manx Line used from the late 70s when it set up in opposition to the Steam Packet.

When the operations merged, the Steam Packet used the port, which is closer to the island than Liverpool.

Currently, the Steam Packet operates 10 fast craft services a week to Liverpool from March to October, rising to 11 a week between June and August.

• What do you think?

Would you rather the Steam Packet moved back to Liverpool as its main port?

Are there any advantages to Heysham?



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