TT ferry passenger figures highest since centenary

The ferry firm said 2024 would be its busiest TT since 2007

The 2024 is set to see the second highest number of visitors arriving by ferry for the Isle of Man TT races in the past four decades, the ferry firm has said.

Figures released by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company show that 37,808 passengers booked to travel to the island during the period.

The 11% increase on the 2023 figure marks the second year in a row figures have only been eclipsed by the 2007 centenary celebrations, when more than 47,000 passengers visited.

Steam Packet managing director Brian Thomson said the company was "exceptionally pleased to bring even more racing fans to the island".

'Great feedback'

The firm said one of the contributing factors to being able to carry the additional passengers had been the increased capacity of the new flagship ferry Manxman.

The vessel, which entered service in August 2023, can accommodate 948 passengers, 300 more than former flagship the Ben-my-Chree.

The company said that between 22 May to 7 June, 37,808 passengers, including 5,488 cars or vans and 13,385 motorbikes, had been booked to travel on either Manxman or the Manannan from Liverpool, Heysham or Ireland.

The TT races were schedule to run from 27 May to 8 June.

The ferry firm said it would also carry 15% more freight compared to TT 2023, with a large amount of it being carried by the Ben-my-Chree.

Mr Thompson said the company had "received great feedback from visitors" who had travelled on Manxman.

The rise in visitors follows on from a similar increase last year, which saw the busiest TT period for the firm in 16 years.