Province signs 10-year deal for ferry to Maine

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia has inked a 10-year agreement with Bay Ferries Ltd. that will see the company operate a high speed ferry between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine.

Bay Ferries has a lease agreement for a vessel owned by the U.S. military’s Sealift Command.

The vessel will be named the Cat, returning to the name given the ferry that was operated by Bay Ferries when the former NDP government axed the service in 2009.

The provincial government has committed to $32.7 million in funding over the first two years, but has not released projections for the remaining eight.

The ferry will get $23.3 million in the first year, including $9 million for a vessel refit and $4.1 million for startup costs and terminal upgrades in Yarmouth.

“This long-term support for a solid ferry operator provides stability and predictability for Nova Scotia businesses and tourism operators from all across the province,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Geoff MacLellan. “The Yarmouth Ferry is a vital link in Nova Scotia’s transportation system. It is as essential as the TransCanada highway.”

“With this service in place, we will bring more visitors to our province — that means more jobs for the people of Nova Scotia,” MacLellan added.

Bay Ferries Chair and CEO Mark MacDonald says Bay Ferries will take possession of the vessel on or just before April 1st.

“We are pleased to once again provide this important service between Nova Scotia and Portland,” said MacDonald Thursday. “We’re ready to aggressively market the ferry service to Americans and beyond and help boost tourism to Nova Scotia.”

The new service is expected to run from June 15 to Sept. 30 with daily departures from Yarmouth and Portland at 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively and returning to Yarmouth at 9 p.m.

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