Marine Atlantic to Suspend Argentia Route for 2020 Season

For immediate release

St. John’s, NL – Marine Atlantic announced today the Corporation will suspend the Argentia – North Sydney ferry service for the 2020 summer tourism season.

As everyone continues to work hard to flatten the curve and battle COVID-19, the demand for leisure and tourism travel to and from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is not expected to recover in the coming weeks. With travel restrictions in effect throughout Canada, these trends are expected to continue into the summer season.

Customers with cancelled reservations will be provided full refunds. With travel restrictions in place in both Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, customers are advised to review the latest provincial restrictions and government websites prior to travel.

Moving forward there will continue to be a minimum of two crossings per day on the Port aux Basques – North Sydney route, and no changes to the commercial and passenger rate structure for the remainder of the fiscal year. If traffic demand warrants, the Corporation also has the ability to add additional capacity.

Marine Atlantic operates two ferry routes, a daily year-round service between Port aux Basques and North Sydney and a seasonal service that operates between Argentia and North Sydney from mid-June to mid-September. The Argentia service is primarily for leisure and tourism travel and is a non-constitutional, cost recovery service.

Murray Hupman, President and CEO

“Our commitment remains protecting the health and safety of our employees and customers. Suspending this year’s Argentia ferry service was a difficult decision but was the logical next step based upon decreased traffic volumes and travel restrictions. I would like to thank our customers for their understanding and recognize the impact this decision will have on the local businesses and the tourism industry. We will continue to work with our community and business partners as we move through this challenging period together.”

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer, Corporate Communications
Telephone: (709) 772-0073 or (709) 727-2405
E-Mail: [email protected]