COMPETITION WATCH: Frustrated with Marine Atlantic, fleet leases own barge
MOUNT PEARL, Nfld. — Amid growing frustration with Marine Atlantic and flaws with its reservation system, Newfoundland trucking company Hunt’s Transport has chartered a barge to move freight from Ontario to Newfoundland.
Hunt’s owner Greer Hunt, told the CBC he has leased a barge for three years which will transport up to 50 trailers at a time from Hamilton, Ont. directly to Newfoundland. He said the move was in response to frustration with Marine Atlantic. He was recently told he couldn’t book a slot on the crown corp.’s ferry service until early August.
“That is not acceptable,” Greer told the CBC.
He also said “In Newfoundland, we’ve been blessed with a vibrant economy. Unfortunately, we’re having lots of issues having our freight moved to the island…We’ve had lots of issues with Marine Atlantic.”
The new barge service will set out on its maiden voyage this week from Hamilton and will arrive in Newfoundland next week. Greer told the CBC it will make a trip every 21 days or so.
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Greer, wtg when will you start taking passengers? I just return from the island and all I can say is what a mess MA has made. Line ups on both sides, some for days. My heart goes out to those poor truckers. One gentlemen sat in NS for 4 days because he was hauling furniture and that was not a prioity delivery I guess. I feel for all you guys.