Sustainability – World Maritime Day 2024

Our commitment to a sustainable service for the future 

Here at the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, we are committed to providing a sustainable, reliable, and high quality service for island residents and tourists. Sustainability is incredibly important for the future of the island and a topic that is front of mind for us.

And with World Maritime Day on September 26th, it is an opportune time to discuss sustainable shipping practices and sustainable maritime development.

Fleet Operations Manager and Manxman Project Manager Jim Royston, who began his career at sea in 1992, tells us more about sustainable practices, it’s important for the future, what we’re already doing to support sustainable maritime practices, and Manxman’s environmentally friendly operation.

Our sustainability goals

Jim: Ultimately our aims are to reduce our environmental footprint, minimise waste, and contribute to the island’s net-zero targets. The cornerstone of that strategy is to invest in eco-friendly vessels of the future that use cleaner fuels and the latest maritime technology to improve efficiencies.

Evolving environmental, efficiency and carbon reduction policies are now a prominent driving force in ship design and operation, and we are acutely aware of its importance to our fleet strategy for the future.  A sustainable service requires vessels that are fit for the future, and compliant with the existing and future national and international regulatory frameworks.

Manxman’s environmentally friendly operation

Jim: Environmental considerations were a top priority when it came to designing Manxman. Manxman uses state-of-the-art technology for propulsion, increasing efficiency and minimising emissions,  particularly in port.

The bespoke RoPax vessel is powered by the world’s most efficient four-stroke diesel engine, which is recognised for its high level of fuel efficiency and significantly reduces exhaust emissions, helping us deliver a far more sustainable and environmentally friendly operation.

The highly efficient generators feed electric final drives and are coupled to specially designed, ultra-efficient propellers to ensure a vibration free crossing. Any excess electricity generated is stored by the vessel’s on board batteries, which are used during periods of higher demand, or while the vessel is alongside in port to reduce emissions.

Beyond our fleet

Jim: Beyond our fleet, we implement sustainable practices in our day-to-day operations, from recycling programs to a scheme for replacing our fleet of shore based vehicles with low emissions models.

We follow ten principles to provide guidance on the way we identify and manage our impacts in the environment. These include setting goals for environmental protection, meeting or exceeding environmental legislation, monitoring and measuring to continuously improve our environmental performance, minimise fuel consumption, and actively encourage recycling.

The aim for this approach is to ensure that every aspect of the business contributes to a healthier planet, committed to minimising the impact of our activities on the environment.