Executive Council
Transportation and Works
October 23, 2015

Enhancing Marine Transportation to Meet the Needs of Residents

Premier and Ministers Welcome MV Veteran to Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined today by the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works, and the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for the District of The Isles of Notre Dame, and other invited guests to welcome the province's newest ferry to Newfoundland and Labrador. The new MV Veteran arrived in St. John's Harbour last week.

"The arrival of the MV Veteran is a proud moment for our province and the residents of Fogo Island and Change Islands. This new state of the art ferry, which is named in honour of all those who served in the armed forces - past, present and future - is a welcomed addition to our marine services fleet and will meet the needs of our residents for many years to come. Access to modern and reliable transportation infrastructure is essential to the social and economic growth of Newfoundland and Labrador, which are key elements of the recently launched Population Growth Strategy."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

The MV Veteran is the first of two new 80-metre, roll-on, roll-off passenger ferries that have been constructed in Galati, Romania by Damen Shipyards. To support the MV Veteran and the MV Legionnaire, the vessel that will service Bell Island beginning in spring 2016, Damen has partnered with a local company to establish a service centre employing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians which will conduct ongoing maintenance and repairs to the vessels for the warranty period.

Once in operation, the MV Veteran will replace the MV Capt. Earl W. Winsor. The new vessel is designed for ice operations and equipped with two thrusters for optimal year-round maneuvering capabilities.

"The Fogo Island and Change Islands route is the second busiest ferry service in the province. The MV Veteran will enter into service in November and will provide travelers with an enhanced link to Fogo Island and Change Islands, and will support our government's mission to provide the safest, most reliable ferry service possible to residents. We will continue to invest in the provincial ferry fleet, the infrastructure to support it, and the team that delivers this service to our communities and the travelling public."
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

Newfoundland and Labrador has a vast transportation network with close to 10,000 kilometres of highway, more than 1,100 bridges, and 18 ferries which service 23 communities. Annually, the province's fleet of ferries transports more than 900,000 passengers and 400,000 vehicles per year. The Fogo Island and Change Islands route services approximately 169,000 passengers annually.

"Today is a special occasion for residents in my district. It is the first opportunity for some to see their new ferry first-hand, and is the culmination of a significant piece of work for others. A new ferry means a more reliable service. The MV Veteran can operate in harsher conditions and the improved reliability will promote business and tourism. This enhancement to our ferry service will have positive effects for years to come."
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame

More information on provincial ferry services and the MV Veteran can be found at www.tw.gov.nl.ca, and an information sheet about the new ferry can be found here //www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2015/tw/mv_veteran.pdf .

The MV Veteran will soon begin local sea trials and Newfoundland and Labrador crews will undertake training. The vessel will be officially put into service in November.

QUICK FACTS:

• The Provincial Government officially welcomed the MV Veteran to Newfoundland and Labrador today.
• The MV Veteran is the first of two new 80-metre, roll-on, roll-off passenger ferries that have been constructed in Galati, Romania by Damen Shipyards at a cost of approximately $50 million each.
• Damen has partnered with a local company to establish a service centre employing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians which will conduct ongoing maintenance and repairs to the vessels for the warranty period.
• The Fogo Island and Change Islands route is the second busiest in the province and moves approximately 169,000 passengers annually.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Premier Government of NL 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca	Donna Ivey Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709 729-3551 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3815, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca	Greg White Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Derrick Dalley MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame 709-884-1226, 1-888-783-9990 gregwhite@gov.nl.ca

2015 10 23                              11:25 a.m.