Marine Atlantic says it can fill any gap in critical supply lines to Newfoundland and Labrador if pandemic-related financial losses force Oceanex Inc. to tie up its ships and stop carrying freight to St. John's. "Should demand increase and additional capacity be required, Marine Atlantic has the ability to add additional crossings to the schedule with the two vessels currently in standby mode," said Marine Atlantic spokesperson Darrell Mercer. "We're looking at all options just to make sure the supply chain stays in place," Natural Resources Minister and St. John's MP Seamus O'Regan told the St. John's Morning Show Tuesday. Oceanex has been involved in a legal battle with the federal government since 2016 over subsidies it provides to Marine Atlantic, its main competitor. After the federal court sided against Oceanex, the company went to the Federal Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision.

Source: CBC News April 14, 2020 16:18 UTC