Houlder wins contract for Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s new purpose-built vessel

Design and engineering consultancy Houlder has won another contract with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IoMSPC), acting as technical advisor in the design and build of its latest battery hybrid ferry. The new purpose-built RoPax vessel will meet the challenging requirements of increased vessel capacity and comfort, as well as tolerating harsh Irish Sea conditions throughout the annual cycle of vessel operations.

The vessel will be constructed by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), based in Ulsan, South Korea. It is due for delivery in Spring 2023 and will bring an enhanced freight capability to the island. It is also intended to be more environmentally efficient and manoeuvrable in poor conditions.

The project presents two key design challenges including providing a dependable lifeline throughout winter that can consistently tolerate the harsh conditions of the Irish Sea in its route between Douglas and Heysham, Lancashire. Additionally, the new vessel will provide increased passenger capacity, especially important during the two weeks of the Isle of Man motorcycle event, the annual TT.

Houlder will guide the shipyard during the build of this new vessel, ensuring it meets the design specification, as well as advising IoMSPC on technical and regulatory aspects. 

“The Isle of Man has significant ambitions for growth in tourism to the island and IoMSPC is the only company to offer passenger and freight ferry services,” says David Wing, Ship Design & Engineering Director, Houlder. “There are many challenges in this brief including the vessel’s size constraints in tight ports while meeting lane metre requirements for freight, as well as meeting environmental expectations for the vessel’s life-span which includes reducing local emissions while in port. We are looking forward to working with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and IoMSPC to ensure a smooth and successful delivery of this new vessel.”

“Our relationship with Houlder dates back many years, with our last major project together being the conversion of Manannan from a military transport ship to a passenger catamaran,” says Jim Royston, Fleet Operations Manager, IoMSPC.

“This latest partnership ensures we have technical experts providing us with pragmatic solutions to challenges being faced by the vessel’s operational profile. Houlder is acting as our advisor to the shipyard to ensure they deliver a vessel of a quality and standard in keeping with the demanding route and the high expectations of our customers. We look forward to working with Houlder again on this exciting new project.”

Houlder’s previous projects include vessels for the Gosport Ferry Company and Wightlink. The company has also undertaken conversion and upgrade works for P&O Ferries, Condor Ferries as well as previous conversion projects and new designs for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.