NLIS 3
September 20, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
 

Consultant selected for vessel replacement strategy

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that a consultant has been selected to take a lead role in developing a comprehensive vessel replacement strategy which will help guide the Department of Transportation and Works in modernizing the provincial ferry fleet.

This is part of government�s $500,000 commitment in Budget 2005 to begin planning work toward addressing the aging provincial ferry fleet. The value of this particular contract is approximately $250,000.

�I am pleased to announce that BMT Fleet Technology Limited, St. John�s, has been selected to provide advice on how to best accomplish our goals of developing an effective ferry fleet while spending taxpayers� dollars in a responsible manner,� said Minister Rideout.

�The current issues facing our vessels are the result of years of neglect and our government realizes that these problems will not fix themselves. We refuse to stand idly by while an operation that many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians rely on continues to generate issues on a regular basis. We have taken a proactive approach to addressing this problem, and this announcement reflects that commitment.�

Minister Rideout said the consultant will undertake a number of responsibilities. Its work will involve condition assessments of existing vessels, as well as identifying and detailing financing options for the acquisition of replacement vessels. The capacity of provincial shipyards to undertake new vessel construction will also be addressed.

�When the consultant has completed these assessments, it will issue a detailed report to government, outlining the options available to revitalize our provincial ferry fleet,� said Minister Rideout.

The minister added that government will have this report in its possession by the end of the year.

�We anticipate that this report will be completed within the next several months,� said the minister. �At that time, government will review and discuss its contents. The recommendations will be prioritized and we will begin the process of implementing our strategy immediately.�

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403

2005 09 20                                  10:10 a.m.


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