Treasury Minister Details £18m Cost for Ben-my-Chree Modernization

The Treasury Minister has announced that modernizing the Isle of Man’s reserve passenger ferry would cost £18 million, an expenditure that would not be recouped over its remaining operational life. Alex Allinson MHK stated that the Ben-my-Chree currently operates with “several outdated systems,” which negatively impact its “efficiency and reliability.” During a session in the House of Keys, he presented a list of necessary works to bring the vessel up to contemporary standards, including a comprehensive overhaul of the accommodation. The Ben-my-Chree assumed its role as a back-up vessel for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s newest ship, the Manxman, when the latter entered service in August 2023. At Tuesday’s sitting, Chris Thomas MHK questioned the potential costs outlined by Allinson and suggested that an independent evaluation of the provided figures should be conducted. Thomas inquired about the specific work required to elevate the vessel to “modern standards,” contending that the ferry was not “elderly.” Allinson informed members that a complete upgrade of the reserve vessel’s propulsion system would cost between £8 million and £10 million. He also noted that the existing life-saving equipment “ideally should be replaced,” an estimated cost of approximately £2 million. He further explained that to “align with standards” found on the Manannan and Manxman vessels, the passenger accommodation would require an upgrade, estimated at around £3.5 million. The minister elaborated that the vessel’s lift was “dated, slow and increasingly unreliable,” with its replacement estimated at approximately £1.5 million. He reiterated that the existing life-saving equipment should “ideally” be replaced, costing £2 million. He also indicated that an additional £1 million would be necessary for replacing the antifoul paint system, which serves to protect the ship’s underwater surfaces, and that control system updates would entail an expenditure of £250,000. Allinson concluded that while these upgrades would enhance the vessel’s reliability and efficiency, the total expenditure would “exceed the vessel’s end value and would not be recoverable over its remaining lifespan.” He further remarked that the ferry had delivered a “very good service,” but acknowledged that most people would agree it was “now getting old,” and that the quality of its accommodation and other passenger amenities did not meet the standards of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s other vessels.