Design contract awarded for six Canadian ferries

“We are excited that design work is about to begin for these new ferries,” said a spokesman for the Ministry 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 routes on the south coast of Newfoundland. The sixth new vessel will serve Williams Harbour and Norman Bay in Southern Labrador. Design work is expected to be completed by early spring 2012 and a call for expressions of interest to construct the vessels is expected to be issued within the next few months.

Including the design of these six new vessels, the Provincial Government is currently engaged in various stages of work towards the construction of ten new vessels in total for the provincial service.