Funding for the next Isle of Man Steampacket vessel

Summary

The requester asked how the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company would fund a £120 million replacement for the Manannan vessel given its existing debt levels. The Treasury refused to provide new information, stating that the details are already reasonably accessible via public news articles.

Key Facts

• The request was directed to the Treasury regarding the Isle of Man Steam Packet Group Limited.
• The authority determined the information was already reasonably accessible to the public.
• The response cited online news articles from IOM Today and BBC News as sources for the requested funding details.
• The request was closed on 31 December 2025 with no documents released.
• The requester was informed of their right to an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner.

Data Disclosed

• £142 million
• £138344138.85
• £4 million
• 34 years
• £160 million
• £120 million
• 2024
• 11th of October
• 10 December 2025
• 31 December 2025
• 5160885

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)

Original Request

Good afternoon In 2024 as shown in the AR for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Group Limited. Wholly owned by Treasury the amount of indebtedness was some £142 million plus. This years return posted on the 11th of October shows £138344138.85 a decrease of some £4 million. At this rate it will take 34 years to pay of the debt. It is stated the companies asset value is around £160 million. My question is therefore 'As the sole members of this company, how will the company fund its replacement for the SeaCat that is currently estimated to cost £120 million?' Kind regards Nigel

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information
Seyrsnys Fysseree

The Treasury Government Office,
Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 3PU

Telephone: (01624) 685605 Email: FOI.Treasury@gov.im

Government Website: www.gov.im

Our ref: 5160885 31 December 2025

Dear ###,

We write further to your request, received 10 December 2025, which states:

"Good afternoon

In 2024 as shown in the AR for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Group Limited. Wholly owned by Treasury the amount of indebtedness was some £142 million plus. This years return posted on the 11th of October shows £138344138.85 a decrease of some £4 million. At this rate it will take 34 years to pay of the debt. It is stated the companies asset value is around £160 million. My question is therefore 'As the sole members of this company, how will the company fund its replacement for the SeaCat that is currently estimated to cost £120 million?'

Kind regards

Name redacted"

Our response to your request is as follows:

We have processed your request on the basis that you are interested in information relating to the replacement of the fast craft vessel, the Manannan. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee.
All of the information that you have requested is available from online news articles and you can find the information you are looking for within the following web links: https://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/steam-packet-says-manannan-replacement-could- cost-up-to-ps120m-831854 - (please refer to the 15th paragraph) Fast craft replacement to cost Isle of Man ferry firm £120m - BBC News – (please refer to the 6th paragraph)

Please quote the reference number 5160885 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.