Liverpool firm creates new ferry doors for world’s oldest passenger shipping company

Marine fabrication firm Wren Industrial has manufactured and installed new water-tight and fire-rated doors for UK ferry operator Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IoMSPCo).

The Liverpool-based manufacturer’s latest tie-up with the ferry company saw it deliver ‘through-night’ door maintenance services aboard the Manannan and Ben-my-Chree, two freight, passenger and vehicle ferries.

Wren engineers travelled up to Lancashire’s Port of Heysham to carry out the installation, working overnight while the vessels sailed to avoid disrupting IoMSPCo services.

Jonathan Willoughby, the entrepreneur and former member of the Armed Forces who recently acquired Wren, said: “The installation of new doors on the Manannan and Ben-my-Chree involved full removal and replacement of a number of doors.

“This included all the fixtures and fittings from handles and locks to seals and latches. The new doors were designed and fabricated with mild-steel which we treated at our manufacturing hall in Liverpool, before being transported and welded into position.”

He added: “They will be used by passengers and crew and are made to a high grade, water-tight and fire-rated specification.”

Wren has a long-standing relationship with IoMSPCo, having worked with the ferry operator for over 20 years.

IoMSPCo was founded in 1830 and is today the world’s oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company.