Wayne Follett, President and CEO of Marine Atlantic, said the corporation’s Port aux Basques property would see $31 million for terminal and docking upgrades.
He said this funding is significant not only in its size but in it’s scope.
“Rather than have our funding allotments year by year, we’ve been able to get the government to approve a five year plan. It’s giving us a five year time horizon to plan over the next five years.”
The plans for Port aux Basques are extensive. Mr. Follett said the terminal will get a facelift, both inside and out, but mainly on the inside. New machinery and equipment, such as shuttle busses and shunting cars for moving drop trailers, will be purchased.
Marine Atlantic also plans to upgrade the port’s docking facility. The Crown corporation recently finished construction of a second dock. Some of the $31 million will be used to modernize the older dock.
Mr. Follett said developing a solution for Vardy’s Island is not out of the question
“We’ve been looking at Vardy’s island of course, trying to determine our options,” he said. “It represents a navigation challenge for all vessels, the larger ones in particular.”
While he said it would be premature to say what the corporation might do to the island, he said placing fenders around it is one option that has been considered.
“We would expect to have adequate traffic capacity for the next ten years.” - - Wayne Follett
Last Monday’s announcement was just part of an investment of over half a billion dollars the federal government is making in Marine Atlantic over five years.
Included in that is $308 million dollars for fleet renewal. Marine Atlantic already announced the charter of two vessels for next year’s service. Mr. Follett said fleet renewal also includes a major refit for the Leif Ericson and money to continue leasing the Atlantic Vision or lease a replacement vessel, depending on what the corporation decides to do.
Mr. Follett said the leasing of the two new vessels represents a 40 to 45 per cent increase in vehicle capacity.
“Based on our traffic projections, we would expect to have adequate traffic capacity for the next ten years,” he said.
Marine Atlantic will also receive an increase in its operating subsidy to the tune of $145 million.
Mr. Follett said between upgrading shore facilities, fleet renewal and increased operating subsidies, the potential is now there for a modernization of the crown corporation.
“The three main ingredients are there for us to move the company forward,” he said.
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