The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has chartered additional P&O Express sailings to assist with demand for TT 2015.

The charter has allowed the Steam Packet Company to revise its schedule and increase the number of sailings. An extra four return sailings have been added to the schedule from the Northern Irish port of Larne while Manannan will operate an additional five Liverpool returns during the TT.

Bookings for the additional sailings open at 8.30am on Monday, 3rd November, and demand is expected to be high.

The Steam Packet Company had already increased capacity for motorcycles to travel to the Island for the annual road racing festival with the announcement earlier this year that a specially-built mezzanine deck will be in place on the Manannan during the TT. These extra spaces have proved very popular, with many peak days already sold out.

Chartered freight vessel MV Arrow will also once again be in service during the TT, freeing up Ben-my-Chree to accommodate additional vehicles.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We are constantly looking at ways we can help the TT grow as an event by working round the clock during the event and ensuring we do everything possible to meet as much demand as we can.

‘There was a marked increase in demand when bookings for the 2015 TT opened in May, with first day bookings up 41% on the previous year and many sailings for the period virtually sold out within just days.

‘One of the biggest areas of demand is from people wanting to bring their motorcycles, and we have responded to that by making a substantial investment in a mezzanine deck which will increase motorcycle capacity on Manannan by 30%.

‘We have been in discussions with P&O for several months awaiting the finalisation of their schedules before confirming the charter of Express and completing our TT timetable.

‘We are delighted that the charter of P&O Express has allowed us to add additional sailings from Northern Ireland and on the popular Liverpool route.’

He added: ‘The extra sailings will be available to book on Monday 3rd November and we will have as many staff as possible available to deal with inquiries to assist passengers secure their travel so they can come and experience the unique action and atmosphere of the TT.’

To book visit www.steam-packet.com or call 661661 (Isle of Man), 08722 992 992* (UK) or 0044 8722 992 992* (ROI & Outside UK). *Calls to these numbers are charged at 10 pence per minute including VAT from a BT landline, calls from other networks and mobile operators may vary.