Strait of Belle Isle Ferry Service to Resume

The Department of Transportation and Works has awarded a contract to Labrador Marine Inc. for the Strait of Belle Isle ferry service running between St. Barbe and Blanc Sablon. The contract is for a period of one year with service provided by the MV Apollo. The service will begin on or before April 1, running through to early winter 2014 as weather conditions permit.

“We are glad to have this important service in place for the people of the province,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Transportation and Works. “The ferry service across the Strait of Belle Isle is vital for residents, and necessary for business and the movement of goods between the island and Labrador.”

The department has cancelled the February tender that called for a three-year ferry service across the Strait of Belle Isle. The department will be seeking providers in the near future for the 2014 to 2016 period.

For the long term, a request for proposals will see a contract awarded this year for development of a 15-year comprehensive passenger, vehicle and freight ferry service beginning April 2016 for both the Strait of Belle Isle and the north coast of Labrador.

Users of the service should visit www.labradormarine.com or call 1-866-535-2567 for booking information and schedule updates.

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Media contact:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca 

2013 03 28                             4:30 p.m.