Steam Packet hasn't hedged fuel for more than 20 years

Treasury Minister Chris Thomas says the Steam Packet company stopped fuel hedging more than 20 years ago, when the fuel surcharge was introduced. He faced a question for written reply from Rushen MHK Juan Watterson about the ferry firm’s forward purchasing and hedging to minimise fuel price spikes. In his response, Mr Thomas said it stopped the practice in 2005, after the fuel surcharge was introduced.

Today on the island

Clear, 7°C (44°F), wind 9 mph

The local news that matters this morning

A tight, deduplicated briefing from the 05:00–05:00 news window. Story titles link straight to the original report.

IoM Today · Transport12:41 Crash at roundabout as traffic diverted away from scene Please avoid the area where possible until the emergency services have dealt with the matter’. Anyone travelling, commuting or planning around events should check the latest official updates before setting off.

Manx Radio · Transport09:37 Cocaine courier who hid £250k drug haul in car jailed Glenn Ford, from Dorset, was stopped by customs officers after arriving by ferry in November. Story by BBC Isle of Man A drugs courier who imported £250,000 worth of cocaine and heroin to the Isle of Man hidden in a car has been jailed - after making a "farcical" claim that he was only visiting the island to play golf for the day.

Manx Radio · Weather10:43 Garff Commissioners hosting offshore windfarm drop in session today It has invited representatives from Orsted and campaign group Not4Iom to attend. Garff Commissioners is hosting a drop in session today (Saturday 9 May), for residents to find out more about the Mooir Vannin offshore windfarm proposals. It’s being held at the Laxey Working Men’s Institute from 3pm until 7pm and the local authority has invited both Ørsted and campaign group Not4IoM to attend.

Manx Radio · Law07:29 Police urge public to check person's identification if claiming to be a police officer Constabulary says it's not aware of an officer visiting a Manx resident to voice concerns over social media posts. The Isle of Man Constabulary is urging the public to ask for identification if someone claiming to be a plain clothes police officer visits their property. It’s after a post on social media this week alleged an officer claiming to be from the Manx force visited a local resident to warn them against sharing material by a controversial content creator.

Manx Radio · Island News06:14 2026 Manx Youth Games taking place today Hundreds of youngsters to get involved in sports across the Island. Hundreds of Island youngsters are expected to be involved in the 2026 Manx Youth Games taking place on the Isle of Man today (9 May). The annual event sees children aged between year groups two and ten take part in multiple sporting activities held across the Island.

3FM · Island News12:00 Stamps mark Manx connection to US War of Independence A new collection of Manx stamps is being released to mark the 250th anniversary of the American War of Independence. The ’America 250’ issue features six Manx people who were involved in this key part of US history during the 18th century. Manx historian Matthew Richardson researched the stamps, uncovering the stories which show the Island’s role in the conflict.

3FM · Island News09:55 Swiss ambassador visits Island The Island's had a visit from Switzerland's ambassador to the UK. Dominique Paravicini came to discuss cooperation with the Manx government, especially in the finance sector. Chief Minister Alf Cannan says building relationships with foreign diplomats posted to the UK means the Island can be shown off to influential people around the world.

3FM · Sport08:00 More rally action around Island today Motorsport action will continue this weekend with the second and final day of racing for the Manx National Rally. Roads will shut from 8.15am, with a number of routes closed off from Jurby to Baldwin. The last closure is set to be lifted at 5.15pm.

IoM Today · Culture08:00 Book review: Pair of new releases in time for Isle of Man TT Both titles are available at the Bridge Bookshop in Port Erin and Ramsey. This photo packed illustrated history has a foreword by legend John McGuinness MBE and is a must have for all true TT fans. From 1907 to the present day, learn about the course and how it has changed, and how the corners got their names.

IoM Today · Culture07:30 Manx photographer’s magazine secures star-studded cover Amy Jackson and Ed Westwick both feature in latest edition of the publication. Jack Alexander, 34, who attended Ballakermeen High School and grew up on Governor’s Hill in Onchan, moved to London in 2012 to pursue a career in photography. He had been working at Boots on the island before transferring to a store in London, later becoming a full-time photographer in 2015.

IoM Today · Transport07:30 Isle of Man road crashes all involved very different’ circumstances Officers say investigations into several incidents are continuing. Police, fire and ambulance crews have attended a number of serious incidents since the end of April, with the Constabulary confirming that investigations are ongoing’ into both single-vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes. A police spokesperson said: Police have responded to a number of serious road traffic collisions recently, which have required road closures in order for each incident to be fully investigated.

IoM Today · Politics07:00 Isle of Man Government reviewing support for events over staffing pressures People always say they’ll bring the stuff back. They don’t bring it back...’. They don’t bring it back...’ The Department of Infrastructure is reviewing the level of cones and fencing support it provides to island events after admitting it no longer has the staffing resources to maintain the service at previous levels.

3FM · Politics17:55 Hundreds of job offers withdrawn over vetting failures The government says it's withdrawn more than 800 job offers in the last five years because of problems with vetting checks. A Freedom of Information request asked how many job offers had been pulled after concerns over past foreign military or security force service. In its response, the Cabinet Office said it only held figures for offers which had been withdrawn because of problems with background checks - including those that hadn’t been finished on time or where people hadn’t responded.

Manx Radio · Transport10:39 No harbour basin work planned in Laxey this summer Regular inspections will continue but re-grading work not necessary at this time. The Department of Infrastructure has intervened to calm concerns raised by some boat owners in Laxey that no harbour basin clearance work is planned ahead of the summer season. In a statement to Manx Radio, the department says Laxey Harbour is frequently inspected and it doesn’t consider re-grading work to be necessary at this time.

Manx Radio · Island News09:49 Public invited to suggest new brownfield site for potential re-development A consultation has been launched by the Cabinet Office. Landowners, developers, built-environment professionals and members of the public are being invited to suggest new sites for potential inclusion on Government’s Unoccupied Urban Sites Register. The register was first published for Douglas and Onchan in 2020 and was expanded to include the rest of the Island in 2022.

Manx Radio · Island News09:42 Anthony Allen re-elected as chair at Onchan Commissioners Commissioner says it's been an honour to serve in the role over the last 12 months. Anthony Allen has been re-elected as chair of Onchan District Commissioners. He’ll continue in the role for the 2026-27 municipal year, with Scott Wilson reappointed as vice-chair.

Manx Radio · Politics06:20 No date set for reopening of NCAS reuse centre Date will be announced 'as soon as practical', says minister. The infrastructure minister says no date has been set for the reopening of the reuse centre at the Northern Civic Amenity Site. The site itself reopened last month after Manx Rock took over the running of the facility.

Manx Radio · Law06:27 Suspended sentence for man who stabbed brother in argument 26-year-old will also be subject to two-year suspended sentence supervision order. A Ramsey man who stabbed his brother has been spared jail. Lauerinn Arran Kaighin, of Albion Terrace, was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse after pleading guilty to wounding with intent.

3FM · Island News12:55 New cafe for the capital A new lunch spot has opened in the capital. The 6th Bite is located on Prospect Hill in Douglas. It says it offers high-quality Asian fusion food that won’t break the bank. For readers, the useful next step is to open the original report for the full detail, timing and any follow-up action that affects residents or businesses.

IoM Today · Sport11:32 Snooker: Clague crowned Veterans' Champion 55 years after first title Clague will now be invited to participate in the next Champions of Champions event. Check the latest timings before travelling, especially where weather, venues or organisers may change plans at short notice.

IoM Today · Culture09:00 Young Singer of Mann 2025 to perform at internationally renowned Welsh event The teen will be taking part in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July. The important follow-up is where the money goes, who benefits, and whether the project delivers something residents can actually use.

IoM Today · Culture09:00 Theatre group celebrate award success and prepare new production The group will stage their next play Visitors’ at the Erin Arts Centre this week. The important follow-up is where the money goes, who benefits, and whether the project delivers something residents can actually use.

IoM Today · Island News08:00 REVIEW: 'Hearing strangers share their thoughts opened my eyes to poetry' These were people you might walk past every day without ever knowing the thoughts crossing their minds’. For readers, the useful next step is to open the original report for the full detail, timing and any follow-up action that affects residents or businesses.

IoM Today · Politics08:00 Minister hails 'achievement' on early census responses I’d like to thank the large number of households who have submitted their census returns in a timely manner’. The follow-up to watch is what government does next, and whether the decision or report leads to a clear public outcome.

IoM Today · Weather06:18 Partly cloudy today with patchy rain possible, sunny skies tomorrow Today, Saturday, May 9, presents partly cloudy skies with the possibility of a brief rain midday. Douglas stands a good chance of staying mostly dry, but occasional clouds could drift through. Temperatures near 10°C will feel slightly fresh in any breeze, although intervals of sunshine should offer a brighter spell.

Tides · Douglas

Live tide API unavailable; using the latest cached Douglas tide table. Times shown local to the Isle of Man.

What's on: weekend planner

A short weekend planner plus notable Island events coming up during the week. Check times and tickets before setting off.

Resident pulse

Questions from today’s House of Keys business, with enough context to make each vote useful. Pick the answer you most want followed up in plain English.

Three Island Amazon finds

Rotating Isle of Man and Manx book/product searches.

Island Amazon pick 1

Isle of Man history book

Local-history reads beyond the day’s headlines.

View on Amazon UK →

Island Amazon pick 2

Isle of Man TT annual review book

TT review books and archive racing reads.

View on Amazon UK →

Island Amazon pick 3

100 Years of the Isle of Man TT book

A race-history coffee-table search.

View on Amazon UK →

From the Manx oral tradition

A small Manx fact

St John’s: Tynwald Hill is where laws are proclaimed in public each year. It carries a layer of Viking, Gaelic, Victorian or maritime influence.

The shape of the day ahead

Clear, 7°C (44°F), wind 9 mph. Highs of 11°C. Check A18 Mountain Road status before travelling.