Transportation and Works
March 30, 2015

Reliable Marine Service for Communities and Families

New Ferry for Fogo Island and Change Islands Launched in Romania

The MV Veteran was launched on Friday, March 27, at Damen Shipyards in Romania and is now entering the final stage of construction. The new ferry will service Fogo Island and Change Islands and is expected to arrive in the province in fall 2015.

"The launch of the MV Veteran is an important milestone in the delivery of the new ferry to Fogo Island and Change Islands. Our government knows that residents of these communities, as well as visitors to the region, rely on the ferry as a critical mode of transportation and we are committed to providing a quality ferry service."
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

A video of the launch can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiV2ErTzonc . The new ferry will be a 14-knot, 80-metre ice-class vessel with roll-on, roll-off capability. Work in the final stage of construction includes the commissioning of systems, can begin and the ferry will leave to sail to the province in August.

"Construction of the MV Veteran is progressing, and we eagerly await her arrival. This new vessel will be of great benefit to the people and the economy of Fogo Island and Change Islands."
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for the Isles of Notre Dame

The MV Veteran has been part of major efforts to renew and modernize the provincial ferry fleet, with two new ferries already delivering service. 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.

QUICK FACTS

  • The new ferry to service Fogo Islands and Change Islands, the MV Veteran, was launched on Friday, March 27, from Damen Shipyards in Romania and will enter the final stage of construction.
  • A video of the launch is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiV2ErTzonc
  • The MV Veteran will have a capacity to carry 200 passengers and 60 vehicles.
  • The provincial fleet of ferries annually transports over 900,000 passengers, 400,000 vehicles and 20,000 tonnes of freight across more than 50,000 arrivals and departures.

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Media contacts:

Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 689-2624
JacquelynHoward@gov.nl.ca 		Deborah Chaulk
Constituency Assistant to the
Honourable Derrick Dalley
MHA for the Isles of Notre Dame
709-884-1226
DeborahChaulk@gov.nl.ca

2015 03 30                              1:05 p.m.