Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
'Somebody dropped the ball': Shipper says ferry cancellation impacts could have been avoided

'Somebody dropped the ball': Shipper says ferry cancellation impacts could have been avoided

CBC
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 10:24 AM GMT

People who work in P.E.I.'s trucking and shipping industry say they're facing higher costs with ferry service between the Island and Nova Scotia cancelled until at least mid-July.

"It's adding $500 to $600 to $700 on every load that we ship to Nova Scotia," said Mary VandenBroek Grant, who owns and manages Cardigan Feed Services, an agricultural retail outlet that ships feed, pet food, fertilizer and grain.

In the warmer months when the ferry does run, the company's truck drivers can work shorter days by taking the ferry to Nova Scotia instead of taking the long route through New Brunswick as they do during the winter. That's not possible now. 

"If you book on the ferry, you can leave at 7 [a.m. AT] and make a round trip and come home and be home at a half-decent time," VandenBroek Grant said. "But in the winter ... the drivers are usually gone at 5 a.m. — and most of them don't get back until 11."

MV Confederation, which serves the route between Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I., began facing engine problems on Friday.

A "mechanical flexible coupling in the propulsion drivetrain" failed, Northumberland Ferries senior vice-president Mark Wilson said in a statement Monday. The part needed to repair the Confederation would have to be built from scratch, he said.

That's estimated to take up to four weeks. 

Scott Annear, owner and operator of Morley Annear Ltd. in Montague, said he relies more on the ferry route later in the summer, and during the fall.

At this time of year, his company mostly ships gravel from Nova Scotia to P.E.I. and potatoes from the Island to the Halifax port. 

"When the ferry was operating properly, it was a great way to get loads done — and they could get a couple loads a day in," he said. "But now they're gone from maybe a couple of loads a day to no loads a day."

The problems affect the rest of the sector, said Chris McKee, executive director with the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association.

"The cost is inevitably and unfortunately going to be passed on to the end users and the consumers by the shippers," he said.

"It seems over the last number of years, we've faced a declining service with Northumberland Ferries ... We understand mechanical issues happen. But when you're down to one aging vessel, there needs to be a better Plan B."

Annear and VandenBroek Grant said they, like many in the shipping industry, are feeling frustrated. 

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Albertans for Carney? They're as impressed with new PM as they are with Poilievre: poll

EDITOR'S NOTE: CBC News commissioned this public opinion research to be conducted immediately following the federal election and leading into the second anniversary of the United Conservative Party's provincial election win in May 2023. 

Demand for water bombers has 'skyrocketed' as Canada grapples with more intense wildfires

As Canada is again dealing with massive wildfires, the increasing severity of the natural disasters is having the knock-on effect of spiking the demand for water bomber planes — and it will be years before Canada gets its hands on a new one.

GTA mom questions how non-verbal child was able to board bus, GO train alone

Valerie Loewen panicked when she woke in early April to find her 9-year-old son William had left their Milton, Ont., house by himself.

Can roundabouts help reduce crashes at rural intersections?

Twice in the past two weeks, the scenic country roads outside of London have been the scene of fatal vehicle collisions. 

No public trust without police oversight board, says First Voice

Public confidence in police accountability is down, especially among Indigenous people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Scammers attempting to cash in on missing Sullivan kids case: SAR group

A Halifax search team warned Tuesday that "fraudulent individuals and organizations" are impersonating them and asking for money under the guise of trying to find Lilly and Jack Sullivan, the two Pictou County children who have been missing since May 2.

Man found guilty of manslaughter in Moncton casino manager's death

A Moncton jury found Michael Glaspy guilty Wednesday of manslaughter in the death of a casino manager who was fatally assaulted on the job two years ago.

Snow Lake put on evacuation alert as northwestern Manitoba wildfire threatens town

The rapid growth of a massive wildfire in northwestern Manitoba has put yet another threatened community on alert.

B.C. port foremen's union and employers ratify 4-year deal

Maritime employers in British Columbia and the union representing port foremen say they have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, after a dispute that saw workers locked out of container terminals last year.

Oilers beat Panthers 4-3 in OT in Game 1 of Stanley Cup rematch

The Edmonton Oilers won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers Wednesday after Leon Draisaitl netted his second of the night with 31 seconds remaining in overtime on a setup from Connor McDavid.

Health P.E.I., McMaster University partner to fast-track international medical graduates

Health P.E.I. is collaborating with McMaster University in Ontario to help fast-track foreign-trained physicians become licenced work on the Island.

AESO proposes short-term limit on power new large-load data centres amid Alberta's unprecedented demand

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is introducing temporary limit on how many new data centres can be added to the electrical grid, as the province experiences un unprecedented surge of project proposals.

Officials expect 'significant wildfire growth' at blaze on B.C.-Alta. border

Officials in British Columbia are warning of dangerous conditions for a raging wildfire on the B.C.-Alberta border in northeastern B.C., which has already resulted in evacuation orders.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Manitoba cabinet minister harassed college employee in past job, external investigation concluded

Recently appointed federal cabinet minister Rebecca Chartrand harassed a former employee at Winnipeg's Red River College Polytechnic over a period of several months in 2019, according to an external investigation commissioned by the college and conducted by a Winnipeg law firm.

Groups in La Ronge racing to rescue as many animals as they can after wildfires force evacuation

While residents of La Ronge and the surrounding area have escaped from northern Saskatchewan's wildfires to safer spots, many of their pets had to be left behind.

The FIFA World Cup is heading to Trump's U.S. Will the world want to come — or even be able to?

You could argue the United States isn't exactly the most welcoming country for visitors at the moment.

Hamilton steelworkers hang onto jobs for now but brace for impact as U.S. doubles industry tariffs

It's not clear what increased U.S. steel tariffs will mean for Hamilton, but workers and industry leaders agree it's nothing good.

No tax on tips? Experts warn against bringing U.S. proposal to Canada

The idea of "no tax on tips" has found a way to appeal across party lines in the U.S. The policy is winding its ways through the halls of American government — but economists warn, it's not an idea worth pursuing here in Canada.

'There's a lot I wish I would have taken': Denare Beach residents in shock after wildfire

When Rebecca McCrimmon evacuated with her family from Denare Beach last week, it was out of concern that access to the northeast Saskatchewan community, not far from the Manitoba border, would be cut off by the Club fire burning to the north.

Thunder Bay Public Library appoints Indigenous relations advisor

The Thunder Bay Public Library has appointed Stephanie MacLaurin as its new senior advisor of Indigenous relations, a key leadership role aimed at advancing the library's commitment to reconciliation and the decolonization of public spaces.

Mystery leak that forced Scarborough family from home spreads as city continues to investigate

A mystery leak that's forced a Scarborough family from their home for the past month appears to be spreading. 

Small but 'life-changing' policy helps Parkinson's patients who need emergency care at Guelph's hospital

When people go to the emergency department, they're not allowed to take their own medications while they wait, which Theresa Daly says can be a huge problem for people with Parkinson's.

UPEI food bank prepares for surge in use with tuition hike set for upcoming academic year

The University of Prince Edward Island's food bank is bracing for what a fall tuition increase could mean for the students who use the service. 

Yukon launches its 1st-ever family medicine residency program

The Yukon is launching its first-ever medical residency program.

Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax reform bill could cost Canadians billions

A small, obscure section buried in U.S. President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act could cost Canadians and Canadian companies billions of dollars, CBC News has learned.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us