Transportation and Works
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
January 7, 2011

Tenders Called for Coastal Labrador Marine Services

To ensure the continuation of marine service to coastal Labrador communities, four tenders are being called for the provision of passenger and freight services before the beginning of the next shipping season.

"We want to ensure all contracts are in place before next season in order to provide seamless service to the communities of coastal Labrador," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works.　 "These tenders are designed to maintain a high level of passenger and freight service to coastal Labrador communities that rely heavily on marine transportation."

Four tenders will be issued to provide the following:

• Operation of the MV Northern Ranger;
• Operation of the MV Sir Robert Bond;
• Supply and operation of a freight vessel to serve Labrador’s North Coast; and,
• Shore-based administration to oversee marine operations for the Labrador Marine Service, including ticketing and reservation services and freight management.

Each of the contracts will be for a five-year period, with the exception of the operation of the MV Sir Robert Bond, which will be offered as a three-year contract.

"From motor vehicles and building supplies to toothpaste and baby food, virtually all supplies going to and from coastal Labrador communities do so via the marine service," said the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "Our government recognizes the importance of this service to these communities and we are committed to maintaining a quality service to residents and businesses along the coast."

The three vessel tenders call for the continuation of marine services to Labrador based on similar schedules and routes as used in previous years with the exception of the MV Sir Robert Bond. As announced in October 2010, passenger and freight service between Lewisporte, Cartwright and Happy Valley-Goose Bay via this vessel has been discontinued due to the opening of Phase III of the Trans Labrador Highway. As such, the MV Sir Robert Bond will no longer operate on a regular schedule. The vessel will be retained and remain on standby to supplement freight shipments to the North Coast during periods of peak freight demand and to undertake other assignments that may arise.

The tender for shore-based administration includes ticketing and reservation services and shore-based freight handling. This will maintain service levels provided in previous years, with the exception of shore-based services related to the MV Sir Robert Bond which will now only be provided as needed.

"I am pleased these contracts will be awarded before the next shipping season so as to maintain a vital link for the people of coastal Labrador communities," said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and MHA for Torngat Mountains. "I am particularly pleased that the MV Sir Robert Bond will be available to supplement the freight vessel serving the North Coast. This will be of great benefit to North Coast communities during periods of high freight demand particularly at the beginning and end of the shipping season."

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Media contacts:

Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca	John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs 709-729-1674, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Donna Stokes Executive Assistant to Hon. Patty Pottle, MHA for Torngat Mountains 709-729-2243 dstokes@gov.nl.ca

2011 01 07                                                                          10:10 a.m.