MV Manxman

The ship was ordered on 31 July 2020 and was built by the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Ulsan, South Korea, being laid down on December 24, 2021.

Construction commenced in the summer of 2021.[2][3] On 1 December 2020, following a naming competition, it was announced that the ship would be named Manxman, the third vessel in the history of the line to bear the name.[4]

Manxman started her first sea trials in December 2022.[5]

However during the course of the trials a significant fault was found in the ship's gearbox. This necessitated a return to the shipyard where the gearbox was replaced.[6]

The Sea Trials resumed in April and were carried out over the course of ten days in the Korea Strait between South Korea and the Japanese island of Tsushima. The trials involved various tests on the vessel's manoeuvrability, speed and fuel consumption with the tests proving satisfactory.[7]

On May 3, 2023, Manxman officially received her name during a ceremony held at the Mipo Dockyard, the christening being performed by Ms Geraldine Ugland.[8] As is Isle of Man Steam Packet Company tradition, the name has been painted in gold and will remain so for the first year of her service.[9]

At 02:40hrs GMT, 11:40hrs local time, on May 11, 2023, the Manxman was officially handed over when Chairman of the Board of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Lars Ugland, signed the official documentation to complete the transfer of ownership on behalf of the Company.[10]

On Saturday May 13, under the command of Captain Andy Atkinson, Manxman departed Korea enroute to Southampton for additional fitting out prior to her commencement of service.[11]

Her voyage of approximately 10,000 miles will see Manxman stage via Singapore, Colombo and Muscat prior to transiting the Suez Canal. She will then make passage through the Mediterranean to Gibraltar which will be her last port of call prior to reaching Southampton.[12]

The voyage is scheduled to be completed in 30 days.[13]

Upon entering operational service Manxman will replace Ben-my-Chree.

It is anticipated that the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company will keep the Ben-my-Chree on a standby basis. The Ben-my-Chree will be in service during busy periods or when Manxman undergoes her routine overhaul.[14][15]