Marine Atlantic’s new acquisition, the Île Rouge, is undergoing sea trials ahead of joining the Gulf ferry service.
The vessel is being leased from Stena for five years. It most recently served in the Mediterranean on the ferry run between Marseille and Corsica.
A seating area on the Île Rouge (Marine Atlantic)
The new swing vessel will bring greater capacity to the Gulf run, replacing the much smaller Leif Erikson.
The Vice-President of Service and Innovation with Marine Atlantic, Colin Tibbo, says they’re excited to bring the ferry into service.
A common area on the Île Rouge (Marine Atlantic)
“We understand completely that the service we provide to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is essential. We know that people rely on it for travel, transport trucks, medical oxygen..so when we had the opportunity to secure this vessel, we knew that it would give us a lot more flexibility.”
The Île Rouge is expected to be in service in the next few weeks.
