THE Isle of Man Steam Packet doesn't seem to have a lot to say after it was announced a rival freight service has been axed.

When Mezeron started a daily freight service between Liverpool and Douglas in October the Steam Packet was quick to comment in depth on the issue and highlighted how it could potentially affect its passenger sailings.

Yesterday (Thursday) Mezeron announced the service was to end on February 19 as it had not grown enough for it to continue to be run profitably.

The RMT Union, which represented some of the Steam Packet workers, claimed "their (Mezeron) plans have been torn apart by a union and a community campaign that has forced the company to back off".

isleofman.com asked the Steam Packet Company to comment directly about the withdrawal of Mezeron's service and below is the company's response in full.

Chief executive Mark Woodward said: "Graylaw has been a major freight customer of the Steam Packet Company for 25 years and has continued to use our services in recent months.

"We are delighted to be able to work with them more closely once again and look forward to assisting Graylaw and its customers to serve the Isle of Man.

"A key element of our enhanced relationship will be assistance in the design of 'double deck' trailers which will provide operational efficiencies and reductions in CO2 emissions."

isleofman.com has been told the company will not be making any further comment for the time being.

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