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MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has secured a contract from Dutch shipbuilding group, Damen Shipyards, for the design and delivery of key components for RoRo access equipment for two 80m ice-class RoPax ferries destined to operate in Canada. The investment in these new vessels is part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Government’s vessel renewal programme.

The first ferry is scheduled for delivery in 2015 and will operate on the Fogo Island and Change Islands service. The second is scheduled for delivery in 2016 and will operate on the Bell Island service.

The ferries will each be equipped with MacGregor bow doors, a bow ramp/door, a stern ramp, shell doors and a hoistable car deck system. They are designed for operation in heavy ice conditions and will be able to carry up to 200 passengers and 60 vehicles.

MacGregor’s RoRo experts have supported naval architects Fleetway and Knud E Hansen with design input for the cargo access equipment throughout the project’s development phase. “We are using our extensive experience of designing and supplying equipment for ferries operating in Canadian waters to support Damen in building ferries that will deliver reliable scheduled services with optimised turnaround times,” says Lars Öberg, Sales Manager, MacGregor RoRo.

Previous deliveries of MacGregor access equipment for ferries in the region include Grand Manan Adventure for the Province of New Brunswick, Blue Puttees and Highlanders for Marine Atlantic, Northern Expedition for BC Ferries, Coastal Renaissance, Coastal Inspiration and Coastal Celebration for BC Ferries, and Grace Sparkes and Hazel McIsaac for Kiewit Offshore.

Following an extensive evaluation process by Government representatives, Damen received the highest overall score of all the proposals as it “will provide the best value to the province and a high quality vessel that will be delivered on time and on budget”.

Cargotec, March 19, 2014