Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially unveils the MV Blue Puttees Ferry

February 11, 2011

ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today officially unveiled the MV Blue Puttees ferry which will improve the flow of people and goods across the Cabot Strait between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. 

“Our Government understands how important the ferry connection to the mainland is to the people and the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The new ferry will carry more people, vehicles and freight…and will provide more comfort and amenities for travellers.”

The MV Blue Puttees, which will be in service by the end of February, is the first of two vessels chartered by Marine Atlantic Inc. – the federal Crown corporation operating the ferries.  The second vessel, the MV Highlanders, is expected to be in service this spring.

The vessel names are a tribute to the men and women who have served with the Newfoundland Regiment - nicknamed the “Blue Puttees” - and the Cape Breton Highlanders.

The new ferries will be equipped to carry up to 1,000 passengers and crew, more than 500 standard-sized automobiles, and approximately 50 per cent more freight than the vessels they are replacing, while providing more comfort and amenities for travellers. 

In addition to meeting growing transportation demands, the new vessels will have less impact on the environment through reduced CO2 emissions, improved wastewater handling and increased overall fuel efficiency. 

Both vessels will replace two older and smaller ferries, which will be retired from Marine Atlantic Inc.’s service – the MV Caribou and the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood.

The unveiling of the MV Blue Puttees vessel is part of the Harper Government’s commitment to renew Marine Atlantic Inc.’s fleet and shore facilities. 




Backgrounder
THE MV BLUE PUTTEES FERRY

The Harper Government is committed to building and improving the infrastructure that Canadian communities and regions need to prosper and grow.  As part of this effort, our Government is helping modernize Atlantic Canada’s transportation system as well as improve vital infrastructure that will enhance the competitiveness of regional businesses and strengthen their position within the global economy. 

The vessel being unveiled today, the MV Blue Puttees, is the first of two vessels being brought into service as part of Marine Atlantic Inc’s revitalization plan.  Our Government is supporting this initiative through our five-year $521-million commitment to renew Marine Atlantic Inc’s fleet and shore facilities at North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Port aux Basques and Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador.  

The MV Blue Puttees and the second vessel, the MV Highlanders, will significantly enhance Marine Atlantic Inc’s ability to provide on-time, reliable service between North Sydney and Newfoundland and Labrador.  The new vessels will also help meet increasing demand for ferry transport across the Cabot Strait.  Marine Atlantic Inc. is chartering both vessels from Stena Line, based in Sweden. 

The ferries, which were built in 2006 and 2007 respectively, offer: improved seating capacity (up to 1,000 passengers and crew); improved fuel consumption; capacity to carry more than 500 standard-sized automobiles; added bow doors and a ramp; and large open areas on the top deck facilitating the transportation of goods.

In addition to meeting growing transportation demands, the new vessels will have less impact on the environment through reduced CO2 emissions, improved wastewater handling and increased overall fuel efficiency.

In 2009, an estimated 27 per cent of all passengers, 50 per cent of all freight, and 90 per cent of all perishable goods between the Island of Newfoundland and the Canadian mainland were carried by Marine Atlantic.

The vessel names are a tribute to the men and women who have served with the Newfoundland Regiment - nicknamed the “Blue Puttees” - and the Cape Breton Highlanders.

Both vessels will replace two older and smaller ferries, which will be retired from Marine Atlantic Inc.’s service – the MV Caribou and the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood.