Fleetway wins six-ferry design contract

Canada: Six new ferries for the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador are one step closer to construction with the awarding of a design contract to Fleetway.

"We are excited that design work is about to begin for these new ferries," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, provincial Minister of Transportation and Works. "We are committed to providing quality and effective marine services throughout the province and the completion of this design will move us closer toward new vessels to service some of our province's most rural communities. The vessels will be constructed here in Newfoundland and Labrador which will benefit local industry and help employment."

Five of the new vessels will replace ferries currently serving the following routes on the south coast of Newfoundland:

• La Poile – Rose Blanche;
• Francois – Grey River – Burgeo;
• Rencontre East – Pool's Cove – Bay L'Argent;
• South East Bight – Petite Forte; and,
• Gaultois – McCallum – Hermitage.

The sixth new vessel will serve Williams Harbour and Norman Bay in Southern Labrador.

Design work should be completed by early spring 2012. A call for expressions of interest to construct the vessels is expected within the next few months.