The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has announced that its primary vessel, the MV Manxman, will remain out of service until late September 2026. The ferry, which has been in dry dock since July 13, requires extensive repairs following the discovery of wear on its shaft bearings and associated shaft liners.
These critical components are responsible for protecting the vessel’s main propulsion shafts. The operator, which is government-owned, stated that the issues were identified only after the disassembly process began during scheduled maintenance. While the vessel was initially expected to return to service on July 22, the complexity of the repairs and the logistical challenges of sourcing specialized components have necessitated a significant delay.
To maintain transport links, the company confirmed that the Ben-my-Chree will continue to operate all sailings between Douglas and Heysham in the interim. Additionally, the fast craft Manannan will maintain its daily schedule on the Liverpool route throughout the summer season. To further bolster cargo operations, the freight vessel MV Arrow is scheduled to return to service this week.
The Steam Packet Company emphasized that while the delay is disappointing, the priority remains the long-term reliability and performance of the Manxman. Specialist engineers are currently working to complete the repairs to ensure the vessel meets the highest safety standards before returning to the fleet.