Marine Atlantic renews MV Atlantic Vision lease agreement for three-year term
ST. JOHN'S, Feb. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, and Marine Atlantic's President and CEO Paul Griffin announced today that Marine Atlantic has renewed the lease agreement for the MV Atlantic Vision until November 2017, allowing existing ferry service routes to connect Newfoundland and Labrador with the rest of Canada.
Chartering this vessel provides Marine Atlantic with better options for fleet configuration and helps improve the service to Port aux Basques, Argentia and North Sydney.
Since being introduced to Marine Atlantic's service, customer satisfaction with the MV Atlantic Vision has grown steadily.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada has invested approximately $40 million for this term renewal. This funding is in addition to the five-year, $521 million investment, announced in Budget 2010 to help renew Marine Atlantic's fleet, shore-based infrastructure and business processes.
- Marine Atlantic is a federal Crown Corporation that provides the only daily passenger and freight ferry service between Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia.
- Marine Atlantic operates a four vessel fleet: the MV Atlantic Vision, the MV Blue Puttees, the MV Highlanders, and the MV Leif Ericson. All four vessels have the ability to accommodate both commercial and passenger traffic at the same time, and all are ice-class vessels with the ability to travel through ice conditions during the winter months.
Quotes
"The renewal of the MV Atlantic Vision lease term is very good news for all the passengers and businesses that use the ferry services between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
"The Government of Canada is investing in Marine Atlantic's vessels as they play an important role in connecting the communities, businesses and economies of Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador."
The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport
"Today's announcement is very important for Marine Atlantic, our customers and the people of Atlantic Canada who rely on our service each and every day. With this three-year renewal, we will continue our long-term planning initiatives and further evaluate the best options for our future fleet configuration. Having the MV Atlantic Vision available for service over the next three years will ensure we continue strengthening our operations and have the necessary infrastructure available to meet the needs of our customers. We are proud to see the Government of Canada's ongoing commitment to strengthening our service for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and all of Atlantic Canada."
Paul Griffin
Marine Atlantic's President and CEO
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SOURCE Transport Canada
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