Marine Atlantic’s 2015-16 schedule and rate structure now available for booking

Believe it or not summer is just around the corner. Sure, we have six more months of winter to contend with, but think of the fun we’ll have in July! And to help you get through the January blahs, Marine Atlantic has released its 2015-16 sailing schedule to help with your summer planning activities.

We will still offer the popular overnight and morning crossings, and dedicated commercial crossings to facilitate the transport of goods to and from Newfoundland and Labrador. And changes to our rates and fuel surcharge will mean a lower cost to travel with us.

Due to the drop in international oil prices and internal fuel saving initiatives, we are passing along short-term savings directly to you, our customers. Effective immediately, the fuel surcharge will decrease by six per cent.

With new environmental regulations requiring us to reduce sulphur emissions to 0.1% by 2018, we expect that future increases in the fuel surcharge will be necessary. Over the next three years we will adjust the blend of bunker and diesel fuels we use, resulting in fuel costs rising until all vessels have converted to use 100 per cent marine diesel (which is more expensive than bunker). As a result, future fuel surcharge increases are expected.

Effective April 1, passenger fares, vehicle fares and the drop trailer management fee will increase by 2.6 per cent, reflecting the continuing increased costs associated with materials, supplies and labour and to ensure a strong and reliable service for customers. We are not increasing cabin prices or the security fee at this time.

We’ve worked hard over the last few years to offer a better service. Our revamped maintenance programs, fuel saving initiatives such as the introduction of shore power, changes to business processes, investments in new technology, and other activities have resulted in improvements in on time performance, service reliability, and customer satisfaction. And we will keep working to improve, knowing that every journey matters.

The complete 2015-16 sailing schedule is available at www.marineatlantic.ca, for travel up to March 31, 2016. So go ahead, make your booking today. We look forward to welcoming you on board.

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