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.