ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The Canadian Transportation Agency is reviewing an application that questions Marine Atlantic's use of a foreign-registered vessel between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
The agency has already ruled in favour of the ferry service's plans for passenger traffic and passenger-vehicle traffic on the North Sydney, N.S., to Port aux Basques, N.L., run for the next 12 months.
But agency spokesman Mark Comeau says a decision on whether Marine Atlantic can use the Cyprus-registered Atlantic Vision for cargo service won't be released until later this month.
Generally, all marine transportation in Canadian waters - between two Canadian ports - is reserved for Canadian-flagged vessels.
Comeau says carriers can apply for permission to use a foreign ship and typically, no offers are made to counter a proposal.
However, Great Lakes Feeder Lines has offered the Dutch Runner, a Canadian-registered vessel, to do the job.
The agency's final decision on the matter will be forwarded to the minister of public safety for confirmation.
In the meantime, the agency has granted temporary permission for Marine Atlantic to use the Atlantic Vision to carry freight until the end of July.
