Marine Atlantic posts another fuel surcharge

PORT AUX BASQUES, Nfld. — Staring next week, on Oct. 1, Marine Atlantic will apply an additional 3.1 percent fuel surcharge to the posted tariff rate for commercial vehicles, as well as passenger cars and passengers. All rates are based on one-way transportation.

Fourteen percent HST will be applied to accommodation rates. HST is not applicable to passenger and vehicle rates.

This is the second fuel surcharge implemented by the Port Aux Basques-North Sydney ferry service in the last three months. To offset the cost of rising fuel prices, Marine Atlantic added a 2 percent surcharge in June.

The ferry says it spent about $25 million in fuel last year and it expects to dish out even more this year.

Transportation and Works Minister John Hickey told local media that he’s troubled by this recent surcharge, saying that commercial markets and tourism could feel the effects. He added that the price of goods is going to increase with the cost of transportation.

Hickey said there’s also the possibility rates will increase yet again in early 2008.