Steam Packet's user agreement to be reviewed

Sat, 18 Feb 2012

The Department of Infrastructure is looking at whether any changes should be made to the Steam Packet Company's user agreement.

The current user agreement means the Steam Packet have to provide a certain number of sailings per year.

The DOI says the deal was designed to provide a minimum lifeline service for the Island for social and commercial purposes.

The operator encountered problems before Christmas when a high volume of sailings had to be cancelled due to a fault with the vessel combined with gale force winds.

It's now been decided that the agreement needs to be looked at again, to see if it remains in the best interest of the Island, and whether it need re-working.

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney says the economic climate means there may need to be changes [play clip]