The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s winter sailing schedule is being affected by difficulties in docking vessels at the new Liverpool ferry terminal.

The nationalized ferry service said problems had been encountered in recent docking tests, carried out by Manxman and Ben My Chree.

These tests “identified challenges to safely mooring vessels at various tide heights, particularly at the forward end of these vessels.”

As a result, sailing schedules from early November to late December will need to be modified to ensure the “safe and efficient delivery of operations.”

Steam Packet said it was now working with the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Infrastructure to find “solutions to mitigate the impact of these challenges” on the new £70m terminal. which opened in June.

The project, which transfers Isle of Man ferry services from Pier Head to Princes Dock in Liverpool, was delayed and over budget by £32 million.

In August, the Manannan fast ship’s voyages were disrupted due to problems with the “unsafe movement” of the new terminal link, which were also caused by tidal problems.

This month’s Liverpool docking trials also included the former vessel Ben-My-Chree, as well as its replacement, Manxman, to ensure “operational flexibility” across the Steam Packet fleet.