Transportation and Works
April 27, 2009
Government Sets Sights on New Ferries for South Coast and Labrador
The Provincial Government has issued
tenders seeking contractors to provide ferry service on the south coast
of the island and Labrador, with an eye toward injecting newer vessels
into the fleet.
The tenders stipulate the new ferries be no older than 15 years and the
contracts be 10 years in duration. The six vessels that currently serve
Francois, Gaultois, McCallum, LaPoile, Grey River, Grand Bruit, Recontre,
South East Bight on the south coast and Williams Harbour/Norman Bay in
Labrador, range in age from 34-46 years. The Provincial Government
requested the contracts be extended from the current norm of three years
in order to provide contractors the opportunity to amortize their
capital investment in new (or newer) vessels over an extended period and
stabilize their workforce. Budget 2009 provides approximately $5.4
million to provide marine services to these communities.
�The investment in new ferries by the Williams Government will result in
an improved and more reliable transportation network, allowing
individuals to continue to live in these small communities and have
access to essential private sector and public services,� said the
Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works. �Our
government�s long-term commitment to reliable, contracted ferry services
reflects our commitment to sustaining vibrant, rural economies.
Contracting newer vessels improves service levels such as reducing the
number of service interruptions.�
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Media contact:
David Salter
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 691-3577
davidsalter@gov.nl.ca
2009 04 27
11:10 a.m. |