Federal government buying new ferry

MV Fanafjord will have room for more vehicles than Holiday Island or Saaremaa

The ferry being purchased to temporarily replace the MV Holiday Island between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia in 2024 will have almost the same vehicle capacity as the MV Confederation.

After a rocky summer for the Wood Islands-caribou ferry service, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Aug. 23 that Transport Canada intends to purchase a Norwegian ferry in order to ensure two vessels operate during the crossing next summer.

The 16-year-old MV Fanafjord can carry 600 passengers and 212 vehicles.

The Holiday Island was knocked out of service for good in July 2022 following an engine room fire.

Transport Canada replaced it with the MV Saaremaa, which had the capacity for 600 passengers and 110 vehicles.

The Fanafjord is expected to arrive on May 1, 2024 and act as the second vessel on the crossing until a new vessel is built. Transport Canada says that will be in 2028.

Mark Wilson, senior vicepresident of Northumberland Ferries Ltd., which is contracted the run the ferry service for Transport Canada, told Saltwire on Aug. 24 that the company is supportive of the federal government’s commitment to provide an effective solution for two-ship ferry service.

“The ferry service overall represents a significant government investment,’’ Wilson said in an email.

“The vessel will be a great addition to the route due to its size, carrying capacity, amenities, speed, maneuverability and sea keeping characteristics. We are confident it will complement the MV Confederation.’’

In a phone conversation on Aug. 24, Wilson said there was not much more he could say because Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of Transport Canada, has published an advance contract award notice to signal the government’s intention to purchase the Fanafjord.

The contract award notice essentially identifies that the federal government believes it has found a solution to the two-ferry service, but it does leave open the possibility that another solution may be found.

There is a 15-day window for someone to produce that solution.

That means the deal is not finalized by procurement policy standards.

Wilson did say that alterations to the docks at Wood Islands and Caribou would not be necessary.

The Fanafjord will be able to use the same dock used by the Confederation.

Belfast-murray River MLA Darlene Compton said in a statement on Aug. 23 that it is welcome news to the people, businesses and communities that rely on the ferry service.

Compton said the need for a new vessel has been known for at least six years when it was noted in the 2017 Wood Islands Task Force Report.

“I wish it hadn’t taken years for good ideas like this to take root but I’m glad that they finally have,’’ Compton said.

“In fact, this very vessel could have been purchased as early as 2016 so a lot of anxiety and economic hardship could have been avoided had the federal government acted with greater urgency sooner.’’

Transport Canada has not said what it is paying for the Fanafjord but the ship is listed on J. Gran and Company AG Shipbuilders in Norway as being sold for 14 million Euros, which is about $20.5 million Canadian.

The Fanafjord, which currently runs on an Lngburning main engine, will be converted to meet emission standards of the International Maritime Association.

The ferry will run under diesel electric propulsion and be made ready for electric battery technology.