Increases coming
Marine Atlantic upping fuel surcharge fee beginning in April
Marine Atlantic customers will soon be forced to pay a new fuel surcharge fee.
Effective April 1, the company will introduce a new three per cent fuel surcharge on every ticket purchased for its Nova Scotia to Newfoundland crossings. Marine Atlantic made the announcement on Thursday.
The new fees will see oneway ticket prices set for adults (13-64) at $45.57 — that’s an increase of $1.07. Meanwhile, children (5-12) will see ticket prices rise to $21.24, while senior citizen prices will be $41.85.
“The fuel surcharge increase is reflective of our change over in fuel as a result of Sulphur Emission Control Area, which is international environmental regulations adopted by the federal government,” said Darrell Mercer, spokesperson for Marine Atlantic.
“At this point we’re getting closer to where we need to be by 2020 … we’re having higher volumes of the more expensive marine diesel and the three Effective April 1, Marine Atlantic customers will see a three per cent fuel surcharge increase. There will be no increase to passenger fares, vehicle fares or the drop trailer management fee.
per cent is a reflection of those additional costs.”
Marine Atlantic’s internal fuel management measures, hedging program and the price of fuel, enabled the corporation to maintain or decrease the fuel surcharge in recent years.
In 2015, Marine Atlantic decreased the fuel surcharge by six per cent as a result of the falling price of oil in the international market, according to Mercer.
Marine Atlantic says there will be no increases to passenger fares, vehicle fares or the drop trailer management fee, only the fuel surcharge price will change.
As part of the SECA, Marine Atlantic is required to fully meet the environmental regulations
by Jan. 1, 2020.
Meanwhile, the company also announced that this year’s crossing schedule will continue to see its popular overnight and morning crossings.
There will also be dedicated commercial and restricted crossings to facilitate the transport of goods to and from Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The schedule itself is going to be similar to what it’s been in previous years and that’s based on customer feedback,” said Mercer.
“Customers enjoy having the option of travelling at night and having the opportunity to sleep and get up the next morning refreshed to continue with their travels.
“Morning crossings have been popular as well. We have a number of people who like to look at the scenery during the crossings.”
For more information on the 2018-19 rate structure and sailing schedule, visit www.marineatlantic.ca.