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

October 17, 2019 For immediate release

The Kamutik W is currently operating in freight mode and routing will be planned to allow for the fastest and most efficient delivery of freight to Labrador Coastal Customers. Due to this, Labrador Marine would like to advise that passenger reservations are subject to change. Nunatsiavut Marine will contact all reserved customers prior to vessel departure from Goose Bay to advise them of changes. Please note that at this time of year the number of passengers travelling is very low and reservations are not required. Check for updates on labradormarine.com or labradorferry.ca regarding vessel movement. Note that all routing is subject to change due to weather conditions.
 
We are currently into the busy season for shipping freight with the cut-off for guaranteed freight delivery set at November 8th. Commercial customers wishing to ship freight at Goose Bay Terminal are advised to contact the Nunatsiavut Marine freight office at (709) 896-2284 to make an appointment for freight acceptance. If there is no appointment space for the requested date, the freight office will book the first available date and time. Should you choose to do so, you can go to the terminal and wait. But please note that wait times may be extended due to demand. If you have perishable goods requiring refrigeration, please call ahead to ensure that there is space to accommodate your freight.
  
For further information, contact:
David Leyden, Operations Manager
Labrador Marine Inc – 709 535 3351

October 16, 2019 - For immediate release

Labrador Marine guarantees all north coast freight will be delivered before freeze-up

(Happy Valley-Goose Bay) – Labrador Marine President and CEO Peter Woodward met with senior leaders and officials from the Nunatsiavut Government and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday. He guaranteed that all freight received at LMI’s Goose Bay terminal by the cut-off date of November 8th for commercial and residential freight will be delivered to north coast communities by the end of this shipping season in December.

“All of the freight that is here in our terminal by November 8th will be transported to the north coast,” said Woodward. “We have more than enough capacity to get the job done but we will lease more if required.”

On Tuesday, the Kamutik W completed a four-day round trip to the north coast and departed again on Wednesday afternoon to head north. “We have a full load on this trip,” said Woodward. “There is less than a full load of freight at the terminal now.”

LMI has also held discussions with transportation companies planning to ship groceries north and assured them those shipments will get delivered.

The Kamutik W’s bow and stern are built to Swedish ice class 1A super standard, which allows the vessel to navigate at 8 knots in 20 centimetre land-fast ice. It means the Kamutik W can operate until after mid-December in north coast ports, weeks longer than the previous ships, Northern Ranger and Astron. “We will be there until December 20th if we have to,” says Woodward. “We will get all freight delivered. The job will get done.”
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Woodward’s has a long history of shipping in northern Labrador, beginning with stevedoring in the 1960’s. In 1973, the company began delivering fuel to the north coast and in 1981, it introduced container service for freight with the Astron. “We have never let the north coast down,” said Woodward. “We will do what it takes to get the job done this fall.”

Peter Woodward
President & CEO, Woodward Group of Companies