Manx/Lancs
Page 8
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ROLL-ON roll-off freight services to the Isle of Man are to be concentrated on the Lancashire port of Heysham from the beginning of April in a rationalisation plan agreed in principle between the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and Sealink.
The Steam Packet service from Liverpool to Douglas, which has been the premium route for 155 years, is being abandoned after March 30.
Under the agreement, Steam Packet will take over Manx Line/Sealink's Heysham service, and Sealink's parent company, British Ferries, will take a 40 per cent stake in the Isle of Man-registered Steam Packet. Sealink will also get half the seats on the eight-man board.
Steam Packet said it was leaving Liverpool with great reluctance but the major drawback was the extended voyage time.
The Heysham-Douglas crossing at 58 miles is 14 miles shorter than from Liverpool and the transit time 45 minutes less.