For immediate release November 5, 2019

 Intense developing storm affects north coast service
 
(Happy Valley-Goose Bay) -- An intensifying storm in the Labrador Sea is moving in quicker than initially forecasted, forcing Labrador Marine to abort its northward trip at Makkovik. Near-hurricane force winds of 40 to 55 knots are forecast from Thursday until Saturday or Sunday.
 
It was decided that given the extreme conditions forecast for a period of several days, the Kamutik W would return southward after unloading at Makkovik on Tuesday evening. The vessel will stop at Rigolet at 11 Wednesday morning and then continue to Goose Bay.
 
The Kamutik W will hold at Goose Bay until weather conditions improve. Labrador Marine will monitor weather conditions over the next several days and provide updates on our website at https://lmsi.woodwardgroup.ca.
 
 For further information, contact:
David Leyden, Operations Manager
Labrador Marine Inc – 709 535 3351

​November 3, 2019 For immediate release

Labrador Marine update on North Coast freight shipments
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(Happy Valley-Goose Bay) – Labrador Marine Inc. stated today that it is confident all freight destined for north Labrador communities will be delivered by the end of the shipping season. The company reported that with the guaranteed freight acceptance cutoff approaching on November 8, freight arrivals at the terminal in Goose Bay have slowed significantly. Discussions with major shippers of groceries and other goods have revealed that only a few container loads remain to be dropped off at the terminal.

LMI stated that after the current departure for north coast ports, there will be approximately three full vessel loads of freight at the Goose Bay terminal.

“We assured leaders in Nunatsiavut and Natuashish that we will deliver all freight by the end of this season,” said LMI President and CEO Peter Woodward. “Our people and our subcontractors have worked hard to overcome some problems and we are committed to making sure there is no freight left in Goose Bay by the time the shipping season ends. We still have six trips remaining this season. The Kamutik W, which is 1A ice class certified, can operate into mid-December in north coast harbours, at least two weeks longer than the two previous vessels that operated this service.”
So far in 2019, LMI has handled about 10,712 tons of north coast freight compared to the 8000 tons handled by the previous service provider at this time last year, a 34 percent increase. The Kamutik W has also carried in excess of 300 passenger vehicles.

This is the first time ever that north coast residents have been able to drive their vehicle on to a vessel in their community and drive off in Goose Bay and continue on their journey,” said Woodward. “The service on the Kamutik W has allowed north coast residents to have mobility similar to that enjoyed by people in other parts of the province.”

LMI will provide further updates as the season progresses.

For further information, contact:
Peter Woodward, LMI President and CEO
709-896-2421