Plans for new shipping service delayed

A new shipping service for the Isle of Man will not be going ahead as planned.

Ellan Vannin Line has confirmed today that it is not in a position to start operating in March.

In a statement on the company’s website it says it is still waiting for a comprehensive reply to its application to government to operate both a freight and separate passenger service.

EVL says even after receiving that it would then need a further three months to become operational – and due to this it can no longer give a definitive start date for the operation.

A spokesperson for EVL says the company is disappointed for both tourists and businesses who it felt would like an alternative to the existing provider.