Repairs at Liverpool ferry port after berth damage

The new terminal opened in Liverpool in June 2024

Repairs to the Isle of Man ferry terminal in Liverpool are set to take place next month, after damage was caused during berthing trials last winter.

The Steam Packet Company said a protective cushioning device between the vessel and the berth, known as a dolphin fender, had "clashed with mooring lines" at low tide.

The work needed would likely cause disruption to the start of winter sailings, the ferry operator added.

Infrastructure minister Michelle Haywood said the first phase of work would see the fender lifted out of the way as it was "stopping Manxman mooring sensibly".

While the issue affects both the Manxman and Ben-my-Chree at low tides, it does not affect the Manannan.

That has meant the damage that occurred last winter has not been possible to mend until now, Haywood explained, as the Manannan used the dock daily over the spring and summer months.

Haywood said they had a "restricted window" when the berth was not being used.

The terminal, the largest capital project the Isle of Man has ever completed on UK soil, was opened at the Princes Half Tide Dock in June 2024.

'Frustrating'

The second phase of works would involve adjusting the fenders to go back into place so that the Manannan can operate across the summer and then Manxman can go in there next winter, Haywood said.

The Steam Packet said sailings to and from Liverpool on 1 and 2 November will now operate to Heysham, with coach transfers to Liverpool Terminal provided for affected passengers.

Managing director Brian Thomson said: "We know this is frustrating and disappointing for passengers."

But by limiting the changes to these two days, he said he hoped "the necessary works can be undertaken" to offer consistent weekend sailings to Liverpool for the rest of the winter.

The final cost of the project has not yet been confirmed but the last estimate was about £70.6m.

Haywood said the issue with the fender stemmed from "something that's gone wrong in the very early stages of this project".

She said: "Everything has been installed in line with the original design but the original design didn't actually match what we were hoping for."

The DOI was therefore "in the middle of extensive legal negotiations with designers and other companies that were involved in the project", Haywood said.

Meanwhile the department has employed contractors in Merseyside to carry out the repairs and said it was working with the Steam Packet to "minimise disruption".