Minister rules out Sea Services Agreement alterations
The infrastructure minister has ruled out any changes to the Sea Services Agreement, saying it would be 'wrong' for lobbying to 'move things round'.
It comes in spite of five of the Island's supermarkets calling for a freeze to current freight costs.
The Department of Infrastructure made progress with its proposed heads of terms for the Steam Packet last week, after it received the support of Tynwald.
Shoprite, Robinson's, the Co-op, Marks and Spencer and Tesco have all branded the current arrangement uneconomical for the Isle of Man.
It is the first lobbying challenge of its kind faced by the Steam Packet since it came into government ownership just under a year ago.
Speaking on Manx Radio's Perspective programme yesterday, Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said politicians must 'hold strong':
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