Marine Atlantic introduced a new system in March for commercial reservations on ferries like the Atlantic Vision. (CBC)

The Crown corporation that runs the ferry service connecting Nova Scotia with southern Newfoundland says trucking companies are spoiling a new commercial reservation system.

Marine Atlantic said transport companies are booking spaces on ferries that cross the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but then cancel them at the last minute.

"We've had a significant numbers of complaints," said Jim Roach, Marine Atlantic's project manager for commercial reservations.

"I can say I've answered a fair amount of concerns and complaints from people," he said. "I think the cancellation issue has been the common thread throughout the industry."

Until March, Marine Atlantic boarded truckers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Now, some truckers are finding they cannot make bookings because others are block-booking spots and then cancelling the ones they do not need.

Roach said trucking companies must pay a penalty if they cancel reservations within 12 hours of a sailing, although he said some companies have complained that the $100 cancellation fee is too high.

Marine Atlantic is reviewing whether the cancellation period should be extended to 18 or even 24 hours.

Roach said the reservation system is helping avoid long lines of trucks at its terminals in North Sydney, N.S., and Port aux Basques, N.L. Marine Atlantic also offers a seasonal service between Argentia, on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, and North Sydney.

Last year, Marine Atlantic carried about 94,000 commercial vehicles.