Marine Atlantic completed 1700 crossings in the past year and passenger traffic is up

At yesterday’s 2023-24 Annual Review of Activities in the capital city, Board chair Gary O’Brien says it’s been a busy year at Marine Atlantic,

Passenger traffic is up at Marine Atlantic but the crown corporation is concerned about federal cuts. At yesterday’s 2023-24 Annual Review of Activities in the capital city, Board chair Gary O’Brien says it’s been a busy year at Marine Atlantic completing 1700 crossings with people and goods. O’Brien says customer feedback over the past year has been very positive but this past spring the federal government discontinued the 65 percent cost recovery model for the constitutional service. President and CEO Murray Hupman says this covers all costs within the corporation, not just the ferry runs. Vice President of Finance, Shawn Leamon says everything is included in total costs and when mandated to do this, they have to meet that objective. He says with the impact of the pandemic and high inflation made this harder to accomplish.  The corporation’s newest vessel, the Ala’suinu, came into service this year after geopolitical transportation issues and problems with the lubrication system. As well, the new administration building in Port aux Basques has been completed and staff are moving in.