Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has secured a long-term charter for its freight vessel Arrow. The vessel 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 deal will come into effect on March 24. The vessel will undertake port trials and pilotage training before entering regular service.
As disclosed, 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 agreement, once Manxman joined the fleet, conventional RoPax vessel Ben-my-Chree became the designated fleet back-up.
The vessel 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.
“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,” said Brian Thomson, managing director at Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
IOMSPC will continue to operate its usual timetabled services with Manxman and Manannan from March 28 to Heysham, Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin.
As reported, Ben-my-Chree will operate in a back-up role.
