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A freight ship used to service the Isle of Man could be used to support other “island dependencies” according to the Manx Treasury Minister.
It’s the second time a ship used by the Isle of Man Steam Packet company has cropped up in discussions about supporting freight services between other Crown Dependencies.
Earlier this year rumours of the MV Arrow being seconded to the Channel Islands also hit the headlines, but were soon after dubbed "fake news".
Now, in an interview with ManxRadio, the Isle of Man Treasury Minister, Alex Allinson, has suggested that the Ben-my-Chree “could” be chartered out to support other island dependencies.
The Ben-my-Chree is a RoPax ship that has been used to bring freight to the Isle of Man for more than 20 years.
While it’s not clear which “island dependency” Dr Allinson was talking about, it comes at a time of particular uncertainty for Channel Island freight links.
The States of Guernsey and Jersey have just begun a tender process for a new long-term operating agreement for freight and passenger ferry services.
Condor – whose CEO last week stepped down with immediate effect following a challenging period for the operator– currently holds the contract. However, it is in a 'wind down' period.
Pictured: Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, is serving as Condor's Interim CEO after John Napton's departure.
When asked if Guernsey politicians have had any contact with colleagues in the Isle of Man, Express was provided with the following response: “The Government of Jersey and States of Guernsey have begun the first stage of a process for procuring a new long-term operating agreement for freight and passenger ferry services. We will not be making any comment on specific vessels during that process.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Economic Development in Jersey, said categorically that no conversations have been had across the water.
“There have been no discussions between Jersey Ministers and the Isle of Man about the Ben-my-Chree," he said.
"As we have begun a process for procuring a new long-term operating agreement for freight and passenger ferry services we will not be making further comment about the procurement of vessels or ferry services.”
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