Is sea freight market big enough for new carrier?

The boss of an Island sea freight operation says the market may not be able to support another carrier.

Ramsey-based Mezeron sends its vessel Silver River on two return trips to Glasson Dock in Lancashire and one to Belfast each week.

The company says it's carrying fewer cargoes of building supplies than in recent years, due to the lack of major infrastructure projects in the Island.

But it's retained around 400 local customers, competing for freight loads in some areas with the Steam Packet.

Next year rival operation Ellan Vannin Lines is due to begin a freight service between Douglas and Heysham.

Mezeron boss Norman Leece isn't convinced the market can sustain all three players: