Transportation and Works
August 25, 2014
Providing Safe and Reliable Marine Transportation
New Bell Island Ferry Progresses as Keel Laying Marks Key Construction Milestone
To celebrate the progress being made on the new $49.5 million Bell Island ferry, the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Transportation and Works, along with the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Service NL and MHA for Conception Bay East – Bell Island, joined area residents at the Bell Island lighthouse celebrate the new vessel’s keel laying ceremony which recently took place at Damen Shipyards in Romania. This marks a major milestone in the construction of the ferry, which will be delivered in February 2016.
“This new ferry represents a major investment in the transportation infrastructure for the residents and businesses of Bell Island. To be able to celebrate the significant progression in the ferry’s construction with actual ferry users is extremely important and we will continue to engage at the local level to highlight further milestones in the ferry’s construction. The addition of the new $49.5 million, 80-metre ferry to the provincial ferry fleet supports our government’s vision of a safe, reliable and sustainable transportation network for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Transportation and Works
The new ferry will be an 80-metre ice-class vessel that has roll-on, roll-off capability and will accommodate up to 200 passengers and 60 vehicles. As a brand new vessel, the ferry will also provide a more reliable passenger experience and will have increased capacity for operating in challenging ice conditions.
“With the keel laying, we have now entered a vital phase in the construction of a new $51 million ferry for the residents of Fogo Island and Change Islands. The new vessel will be modern, customized, state-of-the-art and will ensure an enhanced experience for residents and passengers. The ferry’s arrival in September 2015 will be a momentous occasion for Fogo Island and Change Islands and we look forward to it with great anticipation.”
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame
Laying the keel formally signifies the start of construction and is traditionally celebrated. A video of the keel laying event which took place on August 21 at Damen Shipyards in Romania, where the ferry is being built, was broadcast at the event on Bell Island for all to view and enjoy. The video can be accessed at //youtu.be/Jk8GyjUEXck.
“The announcement of the new Bell Island ferry represents the most significant investment the community of Bell Island has seen since the closure of the mine in 1966. The laying of the keel on the new ship marks the beginning of the community’s future stability and growth. The new ferry will be a game changer for the people of Bell Island.”
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Service NL and MHA for Conception Bay East – Bell Island
The Bell Island ferry route is the busiest in Newfoundland and Labrador, providing service to over 530,000 passengers and close to 250,000 vehicles annually.
“The Ferry Users’ Committee wishes to congratulate the Department of Transportation and Works and Damen Shipyards on the laying of the keel for the new ferry which will operate between Portugal Cove and Bell Island. This vessel will provide residents and non-residents alike with the ability to travel the “tickle” in greater comfort and reliability. This new ferry will bring renewed hope to our community. Thank you to Minister Nick McGrath, Minister David Brazil, Mayor Gary Gosine and advocates like the Ferry Users’ Committee, past and present, for their work in bringing this amazing event to fruition.”
- Teresita McCarthy, Bell Island Ferry User Committee Chair
To support the new ferry, the Provincial Government committed $10 million to upgrade wharf infrastructure on Bell Island and in Portugal Cove to accommodate the new vessel.
Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook includes $71.5 million for ferry vessel replacement and ongoing maintenance and $8.5 million for improvements to marine terminals and wharfs. These investments are a part of a multi-year initiative to replace and upgrade marine infrastructure.
QUICK FACTS
- Minister McGrath was joined today by Minister Brazil and residents of Bell Island to celebrate the keel laying for the region’s new ferry, being built at Damen Shipyards in Romania.
- This is a major construction milestone on the new $49.5 million ferry that will begin service in February 2016.
- To support the new ferry, the Provincial Government committed $10 million to upgrade wharf infrastructure on Bell Island and in Portugal Cove to accommodate the new vessel.
- The Provincial Government delivers ferry service to 23 communities and 41 terminal ports.
- In 2013-14, the Provincial Government invested $88 million in provincial ferry services and received $6.5 million in ferry paid revenue.
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Media contact:
| Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Mary Anne Dillon Constituency Assistant to The Honourable David Brazil, MHA for Conception Bay East – Bell Island 709-729-0334 maryannedillon@gov.nl.ca |
| Teresita McCarthy Bell Island Ferry User Committee Chair 709-488-3137 teresita_mccarthy@hotmail.com |
2014 08 25 11:35 p.m.