​KAMUTIK W TO RELIEVE QAJAQ W ON STRAITS FERRY SERVICE

(Happy Valley-Goose Bay) – Labrador Marine Inc. announced today the Kamutik W will relieve the Qajaq W on the Strait of Belle Isle route while the Qajaq W undergoes scheduled maintenance in St. John’s. The changeover between the two vessels is expected to take place on Sunday, December 20. There will be no interruption in service during the transition.

The Straits fall schedule will continue until January 7. The winter schedule will come into effect on January 8, with one departure each day from both Blanc Sablon and St. Barbe.

Please note that COVID-19 measures remain in place on the Strait of Belle Isle service. Consult the Labrador Marine website at www.labradormarine.com for the latest information.
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For further information, contact:
Peter Woodward, LMI President and CEO
(709) 896-2421

LABRADOR MARINE INC. CONCLUDING 2020 COASTAL OPERATIONS
17-percent increase in shipments over 2019

(Happy Valley-Goose Bay) – Labrador Marine Inc.’s Kamutik W departed Goose Bay Monday enroute to ports north to Nain. This voyage will conclude the 2020 coastal shipping season. All freight and other cargo destined for the north coast will have been delivered at the conclusion of this trip.
The 2020 shipping season was a success, with a 17% percent increase in shipments over 2019. LMI carried 14,538 tons in 2020, compared to 12,358 tons in 2019, an increase of 2,180 tons.

Although COVID-19 impacted operations and resulted in a 21 percent reduction in passenger numbers in 2020, LMI still carried 3,154 passengers to and from the coast. The company followed all public health regulations and operated safely.

The arrival of the Kamutik W in 2019 introduced drive on-drive off service to owners of private vehicles. Coastal residents are taking advantage of this feature. 504 private vehicles were transported to and from the coast this season, a 40 percent increase from 2019.
SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS IN 2020

LMI made several investments in 2020 that enhanced service to coastal communities.
  • Construction of a concrete ramp at Makkovik to facilitate loading and unloading of the vessel.
  • Fabrication of special skids for safe and damage-free snowmobile transport.
  • Community bins to provide safe and seamless transport of small packages.
  • iPads provided for passenger use onboard the vessel.
 • Development of a freight tracking system that allows shippers to track shipments through a unique customer shipping code.
  • Successful development of new computer systems for freight, reservations, and ticketing.
  • Upgrades to the warehouse at Goose Bay with installation of racking that increased capacity and allowed for better organization; upgrading of the warehouse with full heating added.

LMI President and CEO Peter Woodward commented on the importance of these investments. “We provide an essential service to one of the last remaining areas of the province without road connections,” he said. “We strive to provide top-notch service with on-time delivery. These investments help us achieve that goal.”

Woodward also acknowledged the extraordinary effort that it took to operate safely in 2020. “Operating the service during a worldwide pandemic has challenged everyone. But our management and crew, our partners at Nunatsiavut Marine, and the public have been supportive in ensuring that we operated safely. And all of that has made this exceptional year possible.”

Labrador Marine Inc. began preparations for 2020 immediately when last season ended. That preparation, which included input from stakeholders such as the Nunatsiavut Government, Inuit Community Governments, and the Innu Nation, allowed for an early and successful start to this season. Preparations are already underway for the 2021 season and will include consultation with local government officials and users of the service.

For further information, contact:
Peter Woodward, LMI President and CEO
(709) 896-2041

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