The owner of a Newfoundland and Labrador trucking company is so annoyed with ferry delays that he has chartered his own barge to ship freight from Ontario.

Hunt's Transport is chartering this barge to ship freight from southern Ontario to the St. John's area, for at least the next three years. (Courtesy of Greer Hunt)

Greer Hunt, who owns Mount Pearl-based Hunt's Transport, is leasing a barge for three years to collect freight in southern Ontario and deliver it to port in Conception Bay, just west of St. John's.

"In Newfoundland, we've been blessed with a vibrant economy," Hunt told CBC News. "Unfortunately, we're having lots of issues with having our freight moved to the island … We've had lots of issues with Marine Atlantic."

Hunt said Marine Atlantic's controversial scheduling system has been aggravating. He said Tuesday that he was told he could not book passage for a vehicle until early August.

"That is not acceptable," he said.

The only other option for commercial shipping is Oceanex, which moves containers from Montreal and Halifax.

Hunt's barge will set out on its first run later this week from Hamilton, and is scheduled to arrive at Long Pond early next week.

The barge can handle more than 50 trailers at a time.

Hunt said he expects to be able to make a trip every 21 days.

Hunt said the barge could also dock at Argentia if there is enough demand for goods at the Vale construction site in nearby site Long Harbour.

"We're there for the long haul," he said.