Passengers on Isle of Man Steam Packet services are being told to expect surcharges, to cover the soaring cost of fuel.

But there are no plans to slow down fast-craft crossings to reduce fuel consumption.

That assurance is being given to Manx passengers, after it emerged the operator of high-speed ferries between Britain and Ireland is taking both measures to cut its fuel bills.

Marian Kenny has more (text, below, from attached audio file):

Stena Line has slowed down its catamaran services by a quarter of an hour per trip.

It's added a surcharge on vehicles and foot passengers and the company has hinted the rise in the price of oil could see high speed services being replaced by conventional ferries operating at half the speed.

But the Steam Packet says its fast craft, Viking and Snaefell, are more fuel efficient and there are no plans to slow them down.

The services are also a User Agreement obligation for the company.

Marine fuel costs have doubled in the last six months, and with a return trip to Liverpool now costing over ?15,000 in fuel the company says further surcharges are inevitable.

(Picture: The Steam Packet Travel Shop at the Sea Terminal in Douglas).