TABLE OF CONTENTS – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Ferry Services Supported by the Government of Canada
General
Q1. What Ferry Services does the Government of Canada support?
Q2. How much funding does Transport Canada provide to the Government of British Columbia on an annual basis? How much annual support does Transport Canada provide for the Eastern Canada Ferry Services? How much funding is provided to Marine Atlantic?
Q3. How much funding has Transport Canada provided to the Government of British Columbia since 2015-16? How much support has Transport Canada provided for the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
Eastern Canada Ferry Services
Q4. Who uses the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
Q5. How many people and vehicles use the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
Q6. Do any of the provinces contribute financially to the costs of delivering the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
Q7. How many individuals are employed by the operators of the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
Q8. How many vessels does Transport Canada own?
Q9. What is the status of the operational review of Northumberland Ferries? Will the results be made public?
Grant to the Government of British Columbia
Q10. What is the 1977 Agreement between Canada and British Columbia regarding ferry services within the province?
Q11. What is the value of the grant to the Government of British Columbia for ferry services in 2025-26? How much funding has Transport Canada provided through the grant since 2015-16?
Q12. What conditions does British Columbia need to meet to receive the annual grant?
Q13. Could Transport Canada or the Government of Canada impose requirements for Canadian content or “Buy Canadian” on BC Ferries?
Q14. Was Transport Canada aware that the new ferries would be built in China?
Q15. Why doesn’t the Government treat funding ferry services in British Columbia fairly, and why is the West Coast short-changed compared to ferry services in Eastern Canada, such as Marine Atlantic Inc.?
New Ferries Project
Q16. What is the status of the new ferries project with Chantier Davie Canada Inc.?
Q17. The Government of Canada signed a contract with Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI) in November 2019 for the design of the new ferries. What work has been completed under this contract?
Q18. How much money has been provided to Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI) to date?
Q19. What is the expected cost of the final construction of the two replacement ferries?
Q20. What are the Government’s key objectives regarding the design of the new ferries?
Q21. Will the new ferries reduce greenhouse gas emissions? What type of propulsions systems will be used?
Acquisition of the MV Northumberland (formerly the MV Fanafjord)
Q22. What modifications were undertaken in Norway?
Q23. Why did the Government choose to have the work done in Norway as opposed to Canada?
Q24. Transport Canada originally expected the vessel to be in service during the 2024 operating season, which could have prevented the total disruption of service last Fall. Why wasn’t the vessel ready then?
Q25. When did the MV Northumberland come into service?
Status of MV Confederation and Ensuring Service Reliability
Q26. How will the Government ensure a reliable two-vessel service between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Caribou, Nova Scotia, that meets traffic demand in 2025 and going forward?
Q27. When does the MV Confederation need to be replaced?
TABLE OF CONTENTS – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Marine Atlantic Inc. – Ala’suinu Vessel Procurement
(2019 to 2024)
Q1. Did the Government of Canada allow Marine Atlantic Inc. to build its new ferry in China?
Q2. Why did Marine Atlantic Inc. decide to build its ferry in China?
Q3. Why didn’t the Government direct that this vessel be built in Canada?
Q4. Did any Canadian firms submit proposals at the Request for Qualifications (RFQ)?
Q5. How much of the funding for Marine Atlantic Inc.’s vessel was provided by the Government of Canada?
Q6. Was a security assessment done before Marine Atlantic Inc. signed the contract?
Q7. The Minister of Industry announced recently that the Government of Canada has ordered Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer Hikvision to cease operations in Canada over national security concerns. Marine Atlantic Inc’s vessel is equipped with Hikvision surveillance cameras – will the Government now have to spend more tax-payer dollars to have those removed and replaced?
Q8. What is Marine Atlantic Inc.’s mandate?
Q9. How much funding does the Government of Canada give to Marine Atlantic Inc every year?
Q10. Will the Government of Canada continue to support Marine Atlantic Inc.?
Q11. What is Marine Atlantic Inc.’s role in the supply chain?
Q12. How many vessels does Marine Atlantic Inc. currently operate?
Q13. What vessels does Marine Atlantic Inc. use and what are their characteristics?
Q14. What is the current ownership structure for Marine Atlantic Inc’s vessels?
Q15. What is the status of the MV Leif Ericson? When and how will it be replaced?
Ferry Services Supported by the Government of Canada
Questions and Answers
General
Q1. What Ferry Services does the Government of Canada support?
The Government of Canada provides financial support for the following ferry services:
- Marine Atlantic Inc., a federal Crown corporation, which provides a constitutionally mandated ferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, and a non-constitutionally mandated summer service between North Sydney and Argentia, Newfoundland.
- The Eastern Canada Ferry Services, supported through Transport Canada’s Ferry Services Contribution Program, provide service between:
- Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Caribou, Nova Scotia;
- Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, and Souris, Prince Edward Island; and
- Saint John, New Brunswick, and Digby, Nova Scotia.
- In accordance with a 1977 agreement, Transport Canada provides an annual grant to the Province of British Columbia (BC) to support coastal ferry services within the province. The grant, which is indexed annually, was approximately $36.9M in 2024-25 and is $37.8M in 2025-26.
Q2. How much funding does Transport Canada provide to the Government of British Columbia on an annual basis? How much annual support does Transport Canada provide for the Eastern Canada Ferry Services? How much funding is provided to Marine Atlantic?
In 2024-25, Transport Canada provided approximately $36.9M to the Government of British Columbia in accordance with an agreement from 1977. Under the agreement, the payment is indexed annually according to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Vancouver. As such, the payment for 2025-26 will increase to roughly $37.8M.
In 2024-25, the total cost to deliver the three Eastern Canada Ferry Services, including capital investments, was roughly $85M. Of this amount $65M was provided to the operators to deliver the three services.
The Government of Canada (not Transport Canada) provides top-up funding for Marine Atlantic Inc. operating shortfall and capital expenditures. In 2025-26, MAI has been appropriated $182.5M.
Q3. How much funding has Transport Canada provided to the Government of British Columbia since 2015-16? How much support has Transport Canada provided for the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
From 2015-16 to 2024-25, Transport Canada has provided approximately $320M to the Province of British Columbia under the 1977 agreement.
Over the same period, Transport Canada provided approximately:
- $168M to Northumberland Ferries for operating the Wood Islands – Caribou route;
- $119M to Bay Ferries for operating the Saint John – Digby route; and
- $149M to the Coopérative de Transport Maritime et Aérien (CTMA) to operate the service between Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Souris.
Eastern Canada Ferry Services
Q4. Who uses the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
From visiting friends and family to getting goods to market, Canadians, tourists and businesses in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec rely on safe and efficient ferry services to support vibrant and sustainable communities.
- The Îles-de-la-Madeleine – Souris service provides the main year-round transportation link for the 13,000 residents of Îles-de-la-Madeleine. The service is an essential link for the remote community because there are no other regular maritime passenger links. Demand for the service is highest in summer tourist season.
- Wood Islands – Caribou is a seasonal service that usually begins on May 1 and ends in mid-December. Service in the shoulder seasons is comprised primarily of commercial traffic while peak summer season consists of both commercial users and tourists.
- The Saint John – Digby service operates year-round and caters to tourists in peak summer season and to commercial traffic (i.e., fishery operations) at other times of the year.
Q5. How many people and vehicles use the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
The following table provides the average annual number of users and vehicles for the three Eastern Canada Ferry Services based on 2022-23 and 2023-24 data.
|
Route |
Passengers |
Passenger Vehicles |
Commercial Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wood Islands – Caribou |
[ Redacted ] |
[ Redacted ] |
[ Redacted ] |
|
Îles-de-la-Madeleine – Souris |
[ Redacted ] |
[ Redacted ] |
[ Redacted ] |
|
Saint John – Digby |
[ Redacted ] |
[ Redacted ] |
[ Redacted ] |
|
Total |
531,400 |
202,000 |
19,800 |
Q6. Do any of the provinces contribute financially to the costs of delivering the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
The Governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick each contribute approximately $1M annually to the Saint John – Digby service. There is no other provincial support.
Q7. How many individuals are employed by the operators of the Eastern Canada Ferry Services?
Northumberland Ferries, the operator of the Wood Islands – Caribou route, employs approximately 200 people.
CTMA, the operator of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine – Souris route, employs approximately 200 people.
Bay Ferries, the operator of the Saint John – Digby route, employs approximately 145 people.
Q8. How many vessels does Transport Canada own?
Transport Canada owns four ferries to support the three Eastern Canada Ferry Services. These vessels include:
The MV Confederation and MV Northumberland, which are used to provide service between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Caribou, Nova Scotia. These vessels are 32 years old and 18 years old, respectively.
The MV Madeleine II is used to provide service between Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, and Souris, Prince Edward Island. The vessel first came into service in 2019, and was acquired by Transport Canada in 2021; it is approximately six years old.
The MV Fundy Rose is used to provide service between Saint John and Digby and is approximately 25 years old.
Q9. What is the status of the operational review of Northumberland Ferries? Will the results be made public?
On February 7, 2025, Transport Canada launched a request for proposals (RFP) process to engage a Contractor to undertake an Operational Review of Northumberland Ferries Ltd (NFL) in view of recent service disruptions, including a prolonged disruption during the 2024 operating season.
The objective of the review is to identify any operational gaps or areas that could be improved and make recommendations in terms of concrete action that could be implemented.
On March 20, 2025, a contract was awarded to Altis Recruitment. Altis Recruitment has identified marine experts with extensive experience in shipbuilding, repair and overhaul, ship refit, maintenance, and marine operations.
Transport Canada expects to receive the final report by the end of July 2025. The Department will work with the operator to develop an action plan to address any gaps identified. The action plan is expected to be completed by late Summer / early Fall 2025.
Transport Canada will review the report and determine what content can be made public.
Grant to the Government of British Columbia
Q10. What is the 1977 Agreement between Canada and British Columbia regarding ferry services within the province?
In the early 1970’s, the Province of British Columbia (BC) requested that the Government of Canada increase financial support for BC’s ferry services on the basis that these were part of the national highway system and that federal support between the east and west coasts was unequal.
In April 1977, Canada and BC entered into an agreement under which the Government of Canada would pay an annual grant to BC to support ferry and coastal freight and passenger services. In exchange for the provision of federal funding, the Government of Canada was relieved of any obligations related to the ferry services, while BC agreed to assume sole responsibility for deciding which ferry services should receive financial assistance.
Q11. What is the value of the grant to the Government of British Columbia for ferry services in 2025-26? How much funding has Transport Canada provided through the grant since 2015-16?
The total value of the grant in 2025-26 is approximately $37.8M.
From 2015-16 to the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year, Transport Canada provided approximately $320M to the Province of British Columbia.
Q12. What conditions does British Columbia need to meet to receive the annual grant?
Under the terms of the 1977 agreement, BC has committed to support two water links, one "connecting the lower mainland of British Columbia with the southern portion of Vancouver Island" and the other "connecting the northern portion of Vancouver Island with the upper mainland of British Columbia”. BC has also committed to the provision of “reasonable and adequate” ferry service.
Under the agreement, BC assumed sole responsibility for determining the services that needed to be funded while the Government of Canada was relieved of any other financial obligations related to the ferry services.
Q13. Could Transport Canada or the Government of Canada impose requirements for Canadian content or “Buy Canadian” on BC Ferries?
BC Ferries is an independent entity. The decision to select the shipyard to build the new ferries rests solely with BC Ferries, and neither the Government of Canada nor Transport Canada played any role with regard to the procurement or the selection of the shipyard.
The Government of Canada has no involvement in the procurement process and could not impose any requirements on BC Ferries to support Canadian industry.
Q14. Was Transport Canada aware that the new ferries would be built in China?
Transport Canada was not aware of BC Ferries’ decision to build new ferries in China. The department only became aware of the decision when it was publicly announced by BC Ferries on June 10, 2025.
Q15. Why doesn’t the Government treat funding ferry services in British Columbia fairly, and why is the West Coast short-changed compared to ferry services in Eastern Canada, such as Marine Atlantic Inc.?
Federal support for ferry services in Canada is limited to ferry services that:
- Are constitutionally mandated, such as the ferry services between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia provided by Marine Atlantic Inc.;
- Serve remote communities; or
- Are interprovincial and have had a history of longstanding financial support from the Government of Canada.
That said, the Government has supported ferry services across Canada through measures such as removing tariffs on the importation of vessels as well as making ferries and related infrastructure eligible for federal funding under major infrastructure programs such as the New Building Canada Fund.
New Ferries Project
Q16. What is the status of the new ferries project with Chantier Davie Canada Inc.?
The ferries project has been structured in three phases:
- Phase 1: Completion of the Preliminary Design and Class C cost estimate;
- Phase 2: Basic Design and Class B cost estimate; and
- Phase 3: Build Contract.
Preliminary design for the MV Holiday Island II is effectively completed and Phase 1 of the project will be completed by the end of July 2025. The shipyard has also selected its preferred suppliers and major machinery for the vessel.
The next phase of the project is basic design – a more detailed and comprehensive design phase that would inform the eventual construction of the vessel.
The precise delivery timelines will only be known once construction contracts are in place.
Q17. The Government of Canada signed a contract with Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI) in November 2019 for the design of the new ferries. What work has been completed under this contract?
Since the contract was awarded, CDCI has established a Project Management Office and completed several studies necessary for the design work, including a propulsion system study to inform the best type of propulsion system based on environmental and operational objectives.
Concept design and preliminary design for the MV Holiday Island replacement have been completed. CDCI has also selected preferred suppliers and equipment for: (i) the main power and propulsion system; (ii) cargo access equipment (e.g., doors); (iii) heating ventilation and air conditioning equipment; and (iv) accommodations / interiors. The selection of these critical major machinery components is a key enabler needed to progress the design and ensure that the technical and operational requirements of the vessel will be met.
Q18. How much money has been provided to Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (CDCI) to date?
The ancillary contract awarded to CDCI is a task-based contract, which is expected to increase as new tasks are added to the contract.
As of the end of March 2025, Transport Canada has spent roughly $35.6M on the project of which $24.7M has been provided to CDCI.
This funding has covered the following key activities:
- Project management and functional engineering for CDCI;
- Key engineering studies, including related to the best propulsion system reduce underwater noise and GHG emissions;
- Engagement of a design agent by CDCI;
- Final concept design for the MV Holiday Island II;
- Initial concept design work for the MV Jean Lapierre;
- Preliminary design for the MV Holiday Island II;
- Selection of preferred suppliers and equipment for vessel major machinery; and
- A cost estimate for future design work and the construction of the MV Holiday Island II.
Q19. What is the expected cost of the final construction of the two replacement ferries?
The Government of Canada will enter into negotiations for vessel construction with CDCI once design work has been completed. The total cost will only be known once construction contracts have been signed. The cost would be made publicly available at that time.
Q20. What are the Government’s key objectives regarding the design of the new ferries?
Important design considerations for the Government of Canada include:
- Ensuring safe and reliable service;
- Significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants and underwater noise; and
- Ensuring redundancy and adequate capacity to address traffic growth over the long term.
Q21. Will the new ferries reduce greenhouse gas emissions? What type of propulsions systems will be used?
The new ferries will have diesel-electric hybrid propulsion systems with onboard energy storage systems (i.e., batteries) to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, and underwater radiated noise compared to the existing fleet. They are also being designed to allow for future enhancements to their energy storage systems as technology advances.
With regard to the MV Holiday Island replacement, Transport Canada’s ultimate objective is for the vessel to eventually operate on batteries only.
Acquisition of the MV Northumberland (formerly the <MV Fanafjord)<
Q22. What modifications were undertaken in Norway?
Conversion and refit work have been completed. The vessel was modified for operational reasons or to comply with regulatory requirements. Key modifications to the vessel include:
- Converting the vessel from LNG to diesel, which will allow for a diesel-electric hybrid vessel;
- Changes to the passenger areas are being undertaken, including the installation of additional washrooms and new flooring;
- Replacing the marine evacuation system;
- Installing new fenders; and
- Repainting the vessel.
Q23. Why did the Government choose to have the work done in Norway as opposed to Canada?
Transport Canada required a turnkey solution. It was the responsibility of the vessel owner to determine how and where the work would be done. The seller chose to have the work done in Norway.
An Advanced Contract Award Process was used to allow other potential suppliers to submit a proposal that met the requirements of the Advanced Contract Award Notice. No other suppliers submitted a proposal as part of the process.
Q24. Transport Canada originally expected the vessel to be in service during the 2024 operating season, which could have prevented the total disruption of service last Fall. Why wasn’t the vessel ready then?
Transport Canada was originally expecting the vessel to be ready for service in Spring 2024. However, there were delays due to ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Two key examples include: (i) the Classification Society determined that additional fire-rated windows were required, and this created a delay of over three months because new windows had to be ordered; and (ii) there were issues with a generator that created a delay of approximately six weeks, while it was being repaired.
Q25. When did the MV Northumberland come into service?
The MV Northumberland arrived in Canada on January 26, 2025. The vessel came into service in mid-June 2025.
Status of MV Confederation and Ensuring Service Reliability
Q26. How will the Government ensure a reliable two-vessel service between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Caribou, Nova Scotia, that meets traffic demand in 2025 and going forward?
The Wood Islands – Caribou ferry is an essential transportation link that supports the regional economy, and the local communities served by the route.
The Department worked with Northumberland Ferries over the winter to ensure that key preventative maintenance was undertaken for the MV Confederation.
With both the MV Confederation and MV Northumberland, Transport Canada is confident that there will not be a prolonged service disruption this operating season and going forward.
Transport Canada has engaged a team of marine experts to conduct an operational review of Northumberland Ferries, the operator of the Wood Islands – Caribou service, to determine if there are any deficiencies and to make recommendations to address any issues. Transport Canada expects to receive the final report by the end of July 2025. Transport Canada will work with the operator to develop an action plan to address any gaps that have been identified. The action plan is expected to be completed by late Summer / early Fall 2025.
Transport Canada will review the report to determine what information could be disclosed publicly. As part of this process, Transport Canada will need to determine whether any of the information is considered proprietary or commercially sensitive.
Q27. When does the MV Confederation need to be replaced?
The MV Confederation has approximately 10-12 more years of service remaining (2035 to 2037).
Transport Canada will continue to work closely with the ferry operator to ensure the required investments to maintain the vessel and ensure that it is reliable and available for service.
MARINE ATLANTIC INC. – ALA’SUINU VESSEL PROCUREMENT
(2019 TO 2024)
Questions and Answers
Q1. Did the Government of Canada allow Marine Atlantic Inc. to build its new ferry in China?
Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI) is a Crown corporation that operates at arm’s-length of the Government and is responsible for decisions related to its capital investments. A distinguishing feature of a Crown corporation, versus a department or agency, is that it is not subject to all government policies, such as procurement policies, allowing it to operate in a more commercially oriented manner.
The Government’s role in the process was ensuring that MAI had a robust, open, competitive procurement process overseen and validated by a fairness monitor.
The Government regularly reiterates to MAI that it is expected to continue to conduct its vessel refit and maintenance work in Canada, as operationally feasible, to support the regional economy, which the corporation does do.
Q2. Why did Marine Atlantic Inc. decide to build its ferry in China?
Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI) undertook a competitive process open to domestic and international bidders to supply a new vessel under a five-year charter agreement. The process was overseen by a fairness monitor. Through this process, Stena North Sea Ltd, a European company, was selected as the preferred supplier to provide the custom-built vessel and contracted CMI Jinling (Weihai) Shipyard to build the vessel.
The charter agreement includes an option for MAI to purchase the vessel but, at this time, Stena remains the owner of the vessel.
The new vessel entered service on July 10, 2024, one month behind schedule on a
five-year project. The project was completed within budget.
Q3. Why didn’t the Government direct that this vessel be built in Canada?
The aim with this procurement is for Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI) to secure a high-quality vessel that meets its operating requirements, at a competitive price, in a relatively short timeframe. MAI proposed an open and competitive procurement on the international market to achieve this goal. As a Crown corporation, MAI is a distinct legal entity operating at arm’s length from the Government.
Canadian entities were welcome to participate in this procurement process. All participants were evaluated fairly, based on clear criteria that applied to all prospective entities that wished to build the vessel. MAI implemented best procurement practices for this process, including hiring a fairness monitor of the procurement process.
Q4. Did any Canadian firms submit proposals at the Request for Qualifications (RFQ)?
The RFQ was open to both domestic and international shipyards and ferry vessels owners. The proponents that qualified for the Request for Proposals were not Canadian.
Q5. How much of the funding for Marine Atlantic Inc.’s vessel was provided by the Government of Canada?
In Budget 2019, the Government of Canada provided funding for Marine Atlantic Inc. to replace a vessel. The Corporation launched a Request for Qualifications in July 2019, with successful bidders moving to an Request for Proposals stage in June 2020. The contract was awarded in June 2021, and the vessel entered service in July 2024. The entirety of the project was funded through appropriations. The project was completed within budget.
Q6. Was a security assessment done before Marine Atlantic Inc. signed the contract?
Yes, and Marine Atlantic Inc. proceeded to contract with Stena North Sea Ltd.
Q7. The Minister of Industry announced recently that the Government of Canada has ordered Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer Hikvision to cease operations in Canada over national security concerns. Marine Atlantic Inc’s vessel is equipped with Hikvision surveillance cameras – will the Government now have to spend more tax-payer dollars to have those removed and replaced?
A security assessment was done before the cameras were installed and found the risks mitigated since they are a closed-circuit system and not connected to the internet.
That said, the Corporation is reviewing the implications to determine its next steps.
Q8. What is Marine Atlantic Inc.’s mandate?
Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI) is a Crown corporation that provides year-round freight and passenger ferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador. This service fulfills Canada's constitutional obligation to connect the island of Newfoundland to the rest of the country. MAI also operates summer service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Argentia, in Newfoundland and Labrador, which supports the tourism industry.
Q9. How much funding does the Government of Canada give to Marine Atlantic Inc every year?
The Government of Canada provides top-up funding for Marine Atlantic Inc.’s (MAI) operating shortfall and capital expenditures. In 2025-26, MAI has been appropriated $182.5M.
Q10. Will the Government of Canada continue to support Marine Atlantic Inc.?
Yes. The Government of Canada recognizes Marine Atlantic Inc.’s ferry service to and from Newfoundland and Labrador as a critical economic and social link. It is also an element of Canada's constitutional mandate to connect the island of Newfoundland to the rest of the country.
Q11. What is Marine Atlantic Inc.’s role in the supply chain?
Marine Atlantic Inc’s (MAI) services are integral to the regional economy, forming a vital link in the supply chain that connects the island of Newfoundland. It also provides essential transportation for both residents and tourists.
During the fiscal year 2024-25, MAI transported:
- 359,320 passengers;
- 141,582 passenger vehicles; and
- 96,349 commercial vehicles.
MAI employed approximately 1,400 people (during peak season). Almost 65% of goods are transported to and from the island via MAI, including 90% of all perishables such as fresh produce, medical oxygen, and propane for home heating. Retail goods, construction materials, industrial supplies and automobiles make up most of what is consumed by Canadians in Newfoundland, and all of it must be brought to the island by marine carrier.
Only two carriers provide this service: MAI and, the private company, Oceanex. MAI's year-round daily service carries a mix of commercial (approximately 70% of deck space) and passenger traffic (approximately 30%). In 2024, MAI transported almost 98,000 commercial units, approximately 30% of which consisted of perishable goods and retail.
Other types of cargo transported by MAI include: automobiles and auto parts (9.4%); mail and courier items (5.5%); equipment and construction (5.9%); seafood and dairy (6.9%); furniture (1.2%); medical equipment (0.5%); miscellaneous (12.7%); and dangerous goods (6.8%). With respect to dangerous goods, MAI provides the only service to transport propane and other dangerous goods to the island of Newfoundland.
Q12. How many vessels does Marine Atlantic Inc. currently operate?
Marine Atlantic Inc. operates a four-vessel fleet. All four have the ability to accommodate both commercial and passenger traffic at the same time, and all are "ice-class" vessels capable of operating in high winds/seas and heavy ice conditions that occur in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the winter.
Q13. What vessels does Marine Atlantic Inc. use and what are their characteristics?
- The MV Leif Ericson was built in Norway in 1990 and is now 35 years old. It is primarily used for cargo but also carries passengers, and it is reaching the end of its service life. The MV Leif Ericson is about 157 meters long, can carry about 250 automobiles and 480 people, and has no cabins.
- MV Highlanders is 18 years old.
- MV Blue Puttees is 19 years old.
The construction of both vessels (Highlanders and Blue Puttees) began in Russia in 2004, and finished in Norway in 2006 (Blue Puttees) and 2007 (Highlanders). The vessels were modified in Germany in 2010-2011 when Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI) first leased them for five years. MAI purchased them in 2015-16.
The MV Highlanders and MV Blue Puttees are both about 200 metres long, can carry 1,040 persons each, about 500 automobiles each, and both have 96 cabins.
- The Ala’suinu is MAI’s most recent addition to the fleet. It was purpose-built by Stena North Sea Ltd. at a shipyard in China. It entered service on July 10, 2024. It is 203 metres long, can carry up to 1,000 people, 583 vehicles, has 146 passenger cabins (including pet friendly cabins), 40 passenger pods, a variety of food service options, seating lounges, a children’s play area, and a kennel for pets. The ship is compatible for use on both the Port aux Basques and Argentia services. MAI is leasing the vessel for five years from Stena North Sea Ltd. and will have an opportunity to purchase the vessel at the end of the lease agreement if it is suitable for MAI’s ongoing operational needs.
Q14. What is the current ownership structure for Marine Atlantic Inc’s vessels?
Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI) owns three of its four vessels: the MV Leif Ericson; the MV Blue Puttees; and the MV Highlanders. MAI leases the fourth vessel: the MV Ala’suinu.
Q15. What is the status of the MV Leif Ericson? When and how will it be replaced?
The MV Leif Ericson is 35 years old and nearing the end of its useful life.
The Minister of Transport and Internal Trade has sent all Crown corporations in her portfolio a letter outlining her expectation that major procurement activities support Canadian industry and where that is not possible, that working with Canada’s reliable trade partners be prioritized.
No decisions have been made yet about the replacement strategy for the MV Leif Ericson.