First steel has been cut on the new $51 million ferry that will begin service in Fogo Island and Change Islands in September 2015. The new ferry will be an 80-metre ice-class vessel that has roll-on, roll-off capability and will accommodate up to 200 passengers and 60 vehicles.

“It is exciting to see the development of the new $51 million ferry which will service residents, tourists, and commercial operators going to and from Fogo Island and Change Islands for many years. Our government’s commitment to supporting well-developed infrastructure, whether it is ferries, wharves, roads, bridges, or buildings, is contributing to community and economic development in rural and urban areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
– The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Transportation and Works

In addition to progress being made on the new Fogo Island and Change Islands ferry, there are a number of activities underway and scheduled for the next year under the Provincial Government’s vessel replacement strategy that support safe, reliable, and sustainable ferry service. They include:

• First steel is scheduled to be cut for the new $49.5 million Bell Island ferry in August 2014;
• Wharf upgrades scheduled for Fogo Island, Change Islands, and Bell Island this year;
• Wharf upgrades scheduled for Portugal Cove in 2015;
• Awarding of a 15-year contract for marine service to Labrador in fall 2014; and
• Planning for new ferries for the province’s south coast.

“We are making great strides toward renewing our provincial ferry fleet and ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to accommodate the new vessels. Over the course of the next few months, this wave of activity will continue as we award a new 15-year marine service contract for Labrador and plan for new ferries that will service residents on the province’s south coast.”
– Minister McGrath

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