Harbour Traffic Information

Isle of Man Monthly Harbours’ Traffic Summary 

February 2018

Below is a summary of the Isle of Man passenger traffic statistics for the Island’s Harbours for February 2018. The month saw a small increase of 350 passengers or 2.1% over February 2017. Unusually, the increase was due to the relatively large increase in non-scheduled passengers. 

Overall passengers

• A total of 16,635 passengers used the Isle of Man Harbours in February 2018, 350 more than in February 2017, and up by just 2.1%, continuing a positive start to 2018.
• Scheduled passenger traffic stayed about the same as in February 2017, but non-scheduled was in percentage terms, substantially up.
• Whilst the month did not have unusually stormy weather, the intensely cold weather (the “Beast from the East”) doubtless affected travel, reducing numbers of scheduled passengers.

Scheduled passengers and vehicles

• Overall, scheduled service passengers were down by just 37 passengers with just under 16,000 passing through the Port of Douglas.
• The Liverpool routes saw a 2.8% increase, to just under 4,000 passengers.
• Heysham decreased by 147 passengers, or 1.2% with just over 12,000 passengers using the route.
• Scheduled passengers’ vehicles were again about the same as last year and around 6,000 vehicles, the difference between February 2018 and February 2017 being just 13 vehicles. 

Non-Scheduled passengers

• Overall non-scheduled traffic was up by 146% from 265 to 652 crew members.
• Fishing crews helped to drive a notable increase in non-scheduled passenger and crew traffic.  474 fishing crews used the harbours, 84% more than last year.
• Support vessels also generated a numerically huge increase in crews – from four to 154.  Pilot activity also increased.