Isle of Man's MV Arrow charted to Channel Islands for a year
Manx back-up freight vessel MV Arrow will operate a year-long charter in the Channel Islands, the government-owned ferry firm has confirmed.Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said the agreement would come into force on 24 March, after the return of the Ben-my-Chree from dry dock.The Steam Packet said the freight vessel would undergo port trials and pilotage training before entering service, when it was expected to operate on the Jersey to Portsmouth route.The BBC has approached Danish ferry operator DFDS, who the contract has been signed with, for a comment.
Currently based in Douglas, the MV Arrow can carry 66 14m (46ft) trailers and accommodate 12 passengers.It was bought by the Steam Packet for about £8m in 2022 as a back-up freight vessel for the island's then flagship ferry, the Ben-my-Chree.While it has remained an option for the firm since the arrival of the Manxman in July 2023, under the company's sea services agreement with the Manx government the former flagship ferry must be retained for back-up passenger and freight services.
'Future fleet strategy'
Jersey's government signed a contract with DFDS to operate ferry services in the Channel Islands in December.On March 28 the Danish firm is set to take over the contract from previous provider Condor Ferries, which had also used the MV Arrow to increase freight capacity.It will travel to Teeside for its own dry-docking before its charter with DFDS following the return of the Ben-my-Chree to Manx waters next month.Steam Packet managing director Brian Thomson said the year-long charter would take place while the firm "future fleet strategy" was agree, he said.A committee of Manx politicians recently recommended a new sea services framework should be developed for the Isle of Man by the end of 2025.
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
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