Transportation and Works
January 5, 2015

Providing Communities with Reliable Marine Transportation

Provincial Ferry Service Continues to Deliver Quality Service to Residents

Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine transportation system celebrated numerous milestones in 2014, with more to come this year, all of which will bring improvements for the many residents and communities throughout the province who rely on and benefit from ferry service.

Laying of the keels for the new Fogo Island and Change Islands ferry and the new Bell Island ferry were recognized in August, marking the first key step to the construction of the new vessels, which will arrive in the province in the fall of 2015 and the winter of 2016.

“The progress and improvements made to our provincial ferry fleet in 2014 were remarkable. We celebrated the beginning of construction on our two new vessels which, when combined, represent a total investment of $100 million. We also celebrated the naming of the vessel which will service Bell Island – the MV Legionnaire – and look forward to naming the Fogo Island and Change Islands vessel in the new year. Community members who participated in the keel laying and naming events expressed anticipation and enthusiasm over the future arrivals of their ferries. As a government, we will continue to invest in the provincial ferry fleet and the infrastructure required to support it.”
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

In 2015, a new service excellence model designed to enhance the customer experience for ferry travellers will be launched. As well, this year will bring announcements regarding the awarding of a 15-year contract for marine service to Labrador, which will include two new ferries, and a request for proposals for new ferries that will service the south coast.

“As work continues toward improving provincial marine transportation, our focus will remain on delivering a ferry service that is safe, reliable and sustainable. Operating a ferry service is not without challenges, whether it be high winds, rough seas or thick sea ice. Despite such challenges, our ferry service is highly functioning, with close to 94 per cent of all trips being on time over the last two years, thanks to the commitment and dedication of the more than 200 team members of our Marine Services Branch.”
- Minister Brazil

Annually, the provincial fleet of ferries transports more than 900,000 passengers, 400,000 vehicles, and 20,000 tonnes of freight across more than 50,000 arrivals and departures. The Bell Island service alone surpasses the number of passengers and vehicles that use Marine Atlantic.

QUICK FACTS

• Numerous marine transportation milestones were celebrated in 2014.
• Keel laying ceremonies took place in August for the Fogo Island and Change Islands ferry and the Bell Island ferry, marking the first official step of construction.
• This year, a new service excellence model and other customer service initiatives will be launched to benefit users of the ferry system.
• The awarding of a new 15-year contract for Labrador ferry service and service to the south coast will also be announced in the new year.

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Media contact:

Scott Barfoot Director of Communication Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca

2015 01 05                              10:50 a.m.