Manxman ferry

The 2023-built MV Manxman ferry is a passenger ship constructed in South Korea (at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan) and owned by the UK's/and the world's oldest passenger shipping company Isle of Man Steam Packet Co Ltd.

MV Manxman operates the Isle of Man-England route Douglas-Heysham (length approx 93 NM / 110 mi / 170 km) with a crossing time of 3 hours 45 minutes. Seasonally, the ship may also be deployed on the routes connecting to Ireland (Douglas-Belfast and Douglas-Dublin) and to England (Douglas-Liverpool).

The vessel (IMO number 9917244) is currently UK-flagged (MMSI 232041396) and registered in Douglas, Isle of Man.

The ferry was ordered on July 30, 2020, at a contract price of GBP 78 million (~EUR 86,6M / USD 97,5M). The flagship of Steam Packet, Manxman replaced on the Douglas-Heysham route the 1998-built Ben-My-Chree (IMO 9170705).

In comparison to Ben-my-Chree, Manxman has ~10% bigger cargo capacity (freight and vehicles/300 vs 275) and ~30% bigger passenger capacity (949 vs 630). The new ship has a summer deadweight 5000 tons and max draught 5,3 m (17 ft).

The powerplant is based on 4x Wartsila 31 diesel engines (2x 10-cylinder + 2x 8-cylinder) using artificial intelligence and machine learning in a remote maintenance regime. The engines have a combined output of 20,8 MW.

This is Steam Packet Company's third vessel bearing the name Manxman. The new ship's namesakes were HMS Manxman (1904-launched/1949-scrapped; TSS/Turbine Steam Ship, identification number 118603; shipbuilder Vickers) and RMS Manxman (1955-launched/2012-scrapped; TSS/Turbine Steam Ship, IMO 5219943; shipbuilder Cammell Laird, in service for IoMSPCo between 1955-1982; Maiden Voyage May 21, 1955, from Douglas to Liverpool). The 1904-built Manxman ship served the British Navy in both World Wars (1914-18 and 1939-45) and was twice commissioned - in 1916 April (as HMS Manxman) and in 1941 October (as HMS Caduceus).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

In October 2019, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company/IoMSPCo issued a tender to shipbuilders around the world to construct the new ferry.

In November 2019 was contracted Island Global Research (St Peter Port Guernsey-based market research and consultancy company) to conduct an online inquiry about onboard facilities, amenities and services considered important to Steam Packet's passengers. The survey was contributed by 8470 responders (5173 Isle of Man residents + 3297 off-island residents/Steam Packet customers) and was conducted in January-April 2020. In February-March 2020 were visited several shipbuilding yards for selecting the most suitable one.

A detailed summary of the New Vessel Survey was released in April 2020, featuring the following venues voted as "top 5" and with "highest priority":

• (new) Quiet Lounge/relaxation areas
• (new) Cafe (dedicated eatery separated from other seating areas)
• (new) Cinema Lounge
• (new) Children's Play Area suitable for kids of a wider range of ages
• more Premium Cabins
• more Standard Cabins
• more Pet-Friendly Cabins
• more tables in the standard seating areas, Niarbyl Lounge (reserved seating), Pet Lounge
• more options for purchasing hot beverages and snacks/cold food near the seats
• expanded Premium Lounge (more reserved seats)
• expanded Pet Lounge (larger and more comfortable)
• separate bar area
• wider choice of food and beverages
• more USB charging/plug points for portable devices
• improved public restrooms
• larger vehicle/cargo deck lifts
• adding a drinking water fountain and recycling facilities
• adding onboard movie streaming service and priority boarding
• expanded onboard duty-free shopping (more items)

In June 2020, the survey's results were incorporated into the ship design, and in July HDM/Hyundai Mipo Dockyard was contracted as the shipbuilder.

The ship design was developed by Houlder Naval Architects, while the construction was conducted by HMD Project Team and supervised by Sea Quest Marine Project Management.

MV Manxman ship's signature facilities and amenities include:

NIARBYL RESERVED LOUNGE is a bow-facing reserved seating lounge with seats open for reservation online or during the voyage (subject to availability). Niarbyl Lounge seats cost GBP 7/9 per person per crossing (one-way).

PREMIUM LOUNGE is a panoramic lounge with benefits including personal service (by dedicated staff), free snacks and beverages (hot and cold drinks), newspapers and magazines, pillows and blankets (upon request), USB charging points. Premium Lounge seats cost GBP 22/27 per person per crossing (one-way).

Children's Play Area is an indoor playground with a large TV and supervised age-appropriate activities by a professional staff.

More details on venues and services (including staterooms and deck plans) are to be added soon.

Cabins

Passenger staterooms are in three main types/categories - Standard, Premium, and Pet-Friendly. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are also available.

Standard Cabins are 4-berth staterooms fitted with en-suite bathrooms (WC, washbasin), TV, coffee/tea-making facilities (complimentary capsules and bags). Room service (in-cabin dining) is also provided.

Premium Cabins are 4-berth staterooms with TV, DVD player (DVDs), mini-fridge (cold drinks and snacks), newspapers and magazines.

Pet Cabins are 4-berth staterooms with standard amenities plus linoleum flooring.

All passenger accommodations are standard fitted with two lower plus 2 upper/bunk beds (wall-mounted), power outlets, a small table. Bedding sets, towels and toiletries are provided complimentary.

Standard Cabins cost GBP 65-78 (daytime/per room) and GBP 80-96 (night-time/per room).

Premium Cabins cost GBP 75/90 (daytime/per room) and GBP 90/108 (night-time/per room).

Pet Cabins require the animals to be booked and there is an additional charge of GBP 15/18 per animal (each way).

Booking the stateroom in advance/online is highly recommended.

Cabin cost

Standard daytime cabins can be reserved for morning and evening departures from Douglas (8:45 am and 7:45 pm) and for afternoon departures from Heysham (2:15 pm).

Standard night-time cabins can be reserved for the night departure from Heysham (2:15 am).

Standard cabins cost GBP 65/78 (daytime) and GBP 80/96 (night-time).

Premium cabins are priced GBP 75/90 (daytime) and GBP 90/108 (night-time).

Note: Cabin prices are per stateroom, not per person.

To Pet-Friendly Cabin's pricing is added a GBP 15/18 charge (per pet) each way.

Shipowner (Isle of Man Steam Packet Company)

The shipowner IoMSPCo/Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd (1830-founded, Isle of Man Government-owned since 2018) translates in Manx Gaelic as "Sheshaght Phaggad Bree Ellan Vannin".

Currently, IoMSPCo provides Ro-Pax (passenger, vehicle and cargo) shipping services between the Isle of Man (homeporting at Douglas Port's Sea Terminal) and Heysham (Lancashire England) with regularly scheduled year-round crossings.

Seasonal crossings connect Douglas with Liverpool (March-November) and with Ireland (April through September) - Belfast and Dublin.

In 2023, The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company transported 623000+ passengers (27000+ over 2022) and 196000+ vehicles (3500+ over 2022). However, the company's record year is 2007, when were handled 632,942 passengers and 197745 vehicles.

Shipbuilder (Hyundai Mipo Dockyard)

The shipbuilder HMD/Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (1975-founded) is one of the world's largest shipbuilding companies by total vessels produced and annually launches ~70 newbuilds.

In 2007, the HMD was ranked the world's 4th-largest by annual CGT/Compensated Gross Tonnage (1+ million). HMD specializes mainly in shipbuilding (~96%) as well as in ship conversion and repairs (~4%).

HMD is a fully owned subsidiary of HD Hyundai (2017-founded, 2022-rebranded from HHI Group/Hyundai Heavy Industries Group).

HMD constructs various types of marine vessels, including container ships, product carriers, bulk- and liquid cargo ships, ferries, drillships and FPSOs (floating production storage and offloading vessels for the offshore oil and gas industry), cable- and pipe-laying vessels, AHTS (anchor handling tug supply vessels, also used for emergency response and rescue).

For detailed information on the construction's milestones see the ship's Wiki page.