Marine Atlantic has announced it will increase its fuel surcharge by three per cent on April 1.
The corporation released its 2018-19 schedule and rate structure today, Jan. 25, for travel between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019.
The increase, the first since 2011, will bring the fuel surcharge to 18 per cent.
According to a news release from Marine Atlantic, the hike is needed to cover increased fuel costs associated with the move to more expensive marine diesel fuel to meet new international Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) environmental regulations adopted by the federal government.
“Marine Atlantic’s internal fuel management measures, hedging program and the price of fuel enabled the corporation to maintain or decrease the fuel surcharge in recent years,” the release stated.
“However, the more expensive diesel fuel associated with this transition requires increases to now be passed along to customers. The corporation is required to fully meet the new SECA regulations by Jan. 1, 2020.”
Passenger fares, vehicle fares and the drop trailer management fee will all remain the same for 2018-19.
Popular overnight and morning crossings will also continue, as will dedicated commercial and restricted crossings to facilitate the transport of goods to and from Newfoundland and Labrador, the release stated.
