Marine Atlantic to bolster Cabot Strait capacity with addition of charter vessel
CBC
Marine Atlantic has entered into a five-year agreement with Stena RoRo to charter a large ferry that will increase capacity on the Cabot Strait between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
The A Nepita is similar in size, capacity and amenities to the Highlanders, Blue Puttees and the Ala’suinu, and will help address the heavy demand for passenger and commercial traffic during the busy summer tourism season, said Marine Atlantic spokesperson Darrell Mercer.
"When you look at the market, there's not a lot out there, especially for the tight turnaround we required," said Mercer. "We need the capacity now."
The A Nepita was launched in 2002 under the name Superfast X, and was most recently operated by Corsica Linea on the Marseille to Corsica ferry service in Europe.
The vessel will eventually get a new name.
Mercer said it will take months for the vessel to undergo necessary modifications, including a new paint job in Marine Atlantic colours, along with crew training and the necessary paperwork to allow the ship to operate in Canadian waters.
It's not likely the vessel will be ready for the busy summer season.
Mercer said the federal government allotted the necessary funds to charter the vessel following a capacity crunch in 2025.
He would not disclose the charter rate, or how the vessel will impact Marine Atlantic's ledger, but said rates will not be affected.
The federal government slashed passenger and vehicle rates by 50 per cent last summer, and froze commercial rates.
"The federal government recognizes the need for more capacity," said Mercer.
Mercer said the vessel will be able to service the constitutionally guaranteed route between Port aux Basques and North Sydney, and the season service to Argentia.
The addition of the A Nepita raises questions about the future of the Leif Ericson, which has been in the Marine Atlantic fleet since 2001 and is the corporation's primary commercial vessel.
Mercer said the fate of the Ericson, the oldest ship in the fleet, will be decided in the coming months.
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