By
Rebecca Gibson |
Damen Shipyards Group is to construct an 80 m Ice Class ro-ro ferry for Canada’s Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Government.
The 14-knot newbuild will replace Captain Earl Winsor as part of the government’s vessel renewal programme and will operate on the Fogo Island – Change Islands service when she debuts in September 2015. She will have the capacity to accommodate 200 passengers and 60 vehicles.
“Our investment will provide for a new ferry service for Fogo Island and Change Islands, ensuring a prosperous and bright future for local communities and delivering long-term prosperity to the region,” said Nick McGrath, minister of transportation and works.
Following an extensive evaluation process of 15 proposals, the government selected Damen’s proposal, which is expected to ‘provide the best value to the province and a high quality vessel that will be delivered on time and on budget’.
“Damen is not new to the East Coast of Canada,” said Jan van Hogerwou, manager of North America at Damen Shipyards Group. “However, this will be the first ferry project on the East Coast of Canada and that really excites us. The 80 m ferry was designed by a Canadian engineering firm and the Damen Shipyards Group looks forward to further enhancing the working relationship with this company to ensure that this new vessel meets all possible requirements, not only for the government, but also for the passengers she will transport in the next few decades.”
Damen will continue to work with the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Government to develop the shipbuilding industry in the region.