Isle of Man (Peel-Douglas, UK)

Isle of Man (aka Mann) is one of the UK (British Crown) dependencies - together with the Channel Islands Guernsey and Jersey. As such, Jersey is independently administered and is not part of either the UK or the British Overseas Territories. Like Guernsey, Man Island is in the Irish Sea, located between Northern Ireland and England.

The Isle of Man has two ports - Douglas (locode IMDGS) which is the principal port, and Peel Port (locode IMPEL).

The island covers a total area of 572 km2 (221 mi2) and has population around 85,000. Its capital is Douglas - port town located on the southeastern coast. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state. She holds the title "Lord of Mann" and is represented by Lieutenant Governor. Defense and foreign relations are the responsibility of the UK Government.

Isle of Man is a low-tax economy with no wealth tax, stamp duty, inheritance tax or capital gains tax, and a top rate of income tax of 20%. Its rate of corporation tax is 0% for almost any type of income, with only exceptions the profits of banks (taxed at 10%), and rental (or other) income from land/buildings situated on the island. Offshore banking, tourism and manufacturing are the key sectors of the local economy.

IOMSR (Isle of Man Ship Registry) is flag-state (like The Bahamas and Panama, the shipping industry's biggest flag-states) not connected to the UK's regulations. In April 2022, IOMSR became the world's first flag-state that financialy incentivizes shipowners to invest in green technologies. A 15% "green discount"/reduction on the annual registration is offered to Isle of Man-registered vessels (cargo carriers, passenger ships, superyachts) which owners invest in alternatives to diesel fuels, as well as in wind-farming and shoreside power technologies.

In 2016, Isle of Man became the world's first entire country designated "UNESCO Biosphere Reserve".

In 2016, Port Douglas handled a total of 16 ship calls. In 2017, the number jumped to 28 - the Port's ever highest, and 75% increase over 2016. The number of cruise ship tourists grew by over 115% (to 11500 passengers+crew). In 2018, the island was visited by 24 cruise ships and nearly 8400 passengers (20% increase over 2017) plus 6000 crew.

2023 was the island's record-breaking year with scheduled a total of 59 cruise ship calls (including 19 maiden/first-time visits) with expected a total of 18346 passengers plus 15764 crew. For comparison, the cruise port handled 42 calls in 2022 and 47 in 2019 (prior to the COVID crisis). In 2019, the Port had scheduled 50 ship calls, including maiden visits by Hanseatic Nature, Corinthian, Variety Voyager, Ocean Endeavor, Seven Seas Navigator, Ocean Majesty, Serenissima.

The list of recent first-comer cruise lines to the island includes Grand Circle Travel (in 2016, with MV Clio / Tere Moana) and Tauck (in 2017 with the chartered CDP Ponant superyacht Le Soleal). In 2017, the island was included as one of the "surprise port destinations" on MV Hebridean Princess (built as RMS Columba in 1964). In July 2006, this top-luxury cruise ship was chartered by HM Queen Elizabeth II for a royal family cruise around the Scottish Islands, celebrating her 80th birthday.

In March 2018 started construction works on the new cruise berth in Port Douglas. By this project (budget GBP 11 million) will be built a 240-m / 787-ft long deepwater berth on Victoria Pier's outer side. The new pier is part of a 3-year harbour development program, which also includes:

• (GBP 14,83 million) Kind Edward VIII Pier upgrades
• (GBP 17, 22 million) building windfarm support ship pontoons, new breakwater, revetment
• (GBP 6,98 million) constructing a slip (for pleasure boats) plus holding area
• (GBP 15,55 million) tankership berth upgrade
• (GBP 10,56 million) Victoria Pier RoRo berth upgrade
• (GBP 4,23 million) building new cruise tender berth (serving ship's tender boats)
• Currently, cruise ships anchor in Douglas Bay and transfer their passengers via tenders.

The island has been inhabited since before 6500 BC. In the 5th century started the Gaelic cultural influence and Manx language (branch of Gaelic languages) emerged. Edwin of Northumbria conquered the island in 627 AD. During the 9th century, the "Kingdom of the Isles" was established by Norsemen. In the period 1099-11003, the King of Norway, Magnus III, was also known as "King of Mann and the Isles".

In 1266, the island became part of Scotland by Treaty of Perth, after being part of Norway. Following a period of alternating rule by the kings of England and Scotland, in 1399 it came under feudal lordship of the English Crown (British Crown since 1765). However, this territory never became part of UK, retaining its status of self-governing British dependency.

The annual "Isle of Man TT" ("Tourist Trophy") is a motorcycle race run on the island in May-June. The 2-week event (1 for practice, 1 for racing) is on a time-trial basis and held on public roads.

Isle of Man cruise terminal