Commercial Traffic

Find information on all commercial shipping options below, including freight, overwide and overlong units, premium bookings, livestock, and more. All commercial drivers are required to provide Marine Atlantic with a copy of their manifest at check-in. 

Marine Atlantic strives to move traffic in the most efficient manner possible. As part of that goal, we provide an open booking service to commercial customers on a sequential basis based on the booking number assigned to the unit upon arriving at a terminal. There may be times when loading will deviate from sequential booking number order for regulatory or operational reasons, such as maximizing utilization, meeting dangerous goods requirements, and physical limitations of infrastructure.

Seafood

If you intend to transport seafood, we ask that you:

  • Ensure trailer unit doors are closed tightly.
  • Ensure trailer unit is properly equipped with a tank to catch any leaking water and spillage during the voyage.
  • Check in at the terminal a minimum of two hours prior to scheduled departure.
  • Check with the on-duty Assistant Terminal Manager for details pertaining to the draining of any water collection unit.
raw seafood on black background

Freight

We offer transport services for everything from envelopes to large pallets. Find our freight service options and procedures below. 

Any freight must be both dropped off and picked up at one of our terminals. We do not pick up or deliver freight outside of our terminals. Motorized vehicles (motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc.) are not accepted as freight, and must be shipped on a trailer. Passengers may ship bicycles in bicycle boxes (not provided by Marine Atlantic) to be weighed and shipped as freight.

If you have any questions, or need more information on transporting freight, please call Marine Atlantic Reservations toll-free at 1-800-341-7981.

Important Notes

  • The shipper will be required to provide information on the contents of the package, which will be screened by security, assigned a booking number and placed on board. 
  • We suggest you arrive with additional tape to re-secure your package in the event it is opened for screening purposes.  
  • Larger packages must be on a pallet and are subject to inspection by the Traffic Director before being assigned a booking number. 
  • Marine Atlantic does not provide pallets or packing materials.
     
Freight boxes piled on and around a wooden pallet.

Premium Bookings

In the event you need to ensure your goods have a dedicated space on the vessel, we offer a limited number of premium booking spaces, subject to additional fees, terms and conditions. 

To maintain order sequence, customers must call Reservations at 1-800-341-7981 to make a premium booking. There are no limits to the number of bookings a customer can make during a single call; however, a company may only book up to two premiums per sailing. 

  • Premium bookings will be available up to 3 months at a time on a rolling monthly basis. On the first Monday of every month at 10:00 NL time, another month of sailings will be made available for booking.  
  • Bookings will remain available up to 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure time, based on availability. 
  • Amendments may be made up until check-in time at no additional cost, via Reservations or at the terminal.  
  • Bookings must be paid at the time of booking and are non-refundable. 
  • Premium bookings impacted by cancelled sailings will be assigned to the first available sailing. In the unlikely case where this is not possible, units will be assigned in booking sequence and will maintain priority on the next available sailing. The premium fee will be refunded. 
  • Units transporting dangerous goods, livestock or over-dimensional loads may not book as premium units.
  • Check-in times: 3 hours before departure for drop units and 2 hours for live units. 
    • Units that do not arrive for their scheduled sailing, without prior notice before check-in, will be cancelled with full forfeit of the ticket price.
Marine Atlantic Shunt Truck 2018

Transporting Livestock

Livestock are animals, in any number, which are not domesticated household pets, including cattle, horses, sheep, swine, goats, mules, poultry, etc. 

Units carrying livestock travel under passenger or commercial ticket types based on the vehicle. Single passenger vehicles and double units for recreational purposes travel under passenger ticket types. Straight truck, tractor trailer or commercial double units travel under commercial ticket types.

We strongly recommend both passenger and commercial units carrying livestock make a reservation in advance, which can be done at no additional charge. Units with livestock are not booked to RR departures.

All units travelling with animals that include any hay or straw, must travel as dangerous goods. All amounts of hay and straw are regulated under UN 1327, Class 4.1.

Customers without their own documentation should download and complete the dangerous goods declaration form in advance of arrival at our terminals.

Download Shipping Document

  • A driver must accompany any unit carrying livestock throughout the journey. They are responsible for the care of the animals and must comply with all applicable regulations.
  • Access to potable water can be provided at all our terminals. Please check with terminal staff for further information.
  • Special arrangements can be made to allow drivers of livestock units an escorted visit to the vehicle deck during the crossing to check on their animals. Please check with a member of our vessel crew once onboard.
  • Livestock will not be transported when, at Marine Atlantic’s discretion, there is a possibility that the ship may be delayed in crossing due to weather conditions or other circumstances.
  • Livestock are not accepted for transport on the Argentia - North Sydney service.
Cattle exiting a transport trailer.

Overwide and Overlong Units

Overwide units are considered to be any units measuring 9'6" inches (2.86 metres) wide or greater. All overwide units are accepted as open bookings; however, reservations are strongly recommended for units wider than 11'4" as sailing dates and times may be limited. Overlong units are considered to be any units greater than 90 feet (27.43 metres) in length.

Reservations for overwide and overlong units are available at no additional cost. To make a reservation for an overwide or overlong unit, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-341-7981, and we’ll book you on an appropriate crossing. 

Please note: 

Overwide and overlong units must be checked in six hours before the scheduled departure time.

 

Truck carrying small home on its trailer.
Ala'suinu
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Maximum Width and Height Measurements

LocationMaximum WidthMaximum Height
Bow14'7"16'
Stern*23'11"16'

*Requires vessel to turn to accommodate stern-in loading/un-loading. Designated sailings only.

Blue Puttees
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Maximum Width and Height Measurements

LocationMaximum WidthMaximum Height
Bow*11'4" - 12'2"15'
Stern**23'15'

*Loads in this range are subject to vessel approval based on specific unit configuration and loading conditions. Reservations are strongly recommended.
**Requires vessel to turn to accommodate stern-in loading/un-loading. Designated sailings only.

Highlanders
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Maximum Width and Height Measurements

LocationMaximum WidthMaximum Height
Bow*11'4" - 12'2"15'
Stern**23'15'

*Loads in this range are subject to vessel approval based on specific unit configuration and loading conditions. Reservations are strongly recommended.
**Requires vessel to turn to accommodate stern-in loading/un-loading. Designated sailings only.

Leif Ericson
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Maximum Width and Height Measurements

LocationMaximum WidthMaximum Height
Bow20'5"14'3"
Stern*22'0"14'7"

*Requires vessel to turn to accommodate stern-in loading/un-loading. Designated sailings only.