Ferry service between P.E.I. and N.S. will be more reliable this season, CEO promises

CBC

17-04-2025

Officials with Northumberland Ferries Ltd. say they're confident this year's ferry season will be better and more reliable than last year's.
The seasonal ferry service that runs between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia is scheduled to begin May 1 and will include MV Northumberland, a vessel Transport Canada bought from Norwegian owners that is being added to the service. It was formerly called MV Fanafjord.
"I think the general public is going to be very impressed with that vessel," said Mark Wilson, the president and CEO of Northumberland Ferries.
"There is more redundancy on that vessel in case something does happen with an engine or with a thruster. There is the ability to continue to sail safely and reliability."
The Northumberland Strait ferry service has been struggling since the Holiday Island was scrapped after a fire in the summer of 2022, leaving only MV Confederation on the run. That ship and MV Saareema, leased from the Quebec ferry service for two seasons, then faced their own share of problems.
Ferry firm hopes for a trouble-free season as new vessel added: 'It's darn near close to a new ship'
1 hour ago
Duration 2:38
The seasonal ferry service that runs between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia will start operation on May 1. Northumberland Ferries says it's doing everything it can to move on from the mechanical problems from last season, and promises the service will be more reliable this year. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports.
The Confederation ran into the wharf at Wood Islands last year, leaving it out of service for four weeks.
Having two boats in service this year should ensure a more reliable service, Wilson said, noting that both vessels have gone through pre-season maintenance.
'It's absolutely vital': business leaders
For business leaders in eastern P.E.I., improvements to the ferry service's reliability are critical.
"We know the travelling public is struggling with the notion of planning on using the ferry, especially from the commercial side," said Blair Aitken, the president of the Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce.
Businesses that have lost confidence in the ferry service have opted instead to use the Confederation Bridge that links western P.E.I. to New Brunswick, Aitken said.
"We're hopeful that Northumberland Ferries has plans of some sort to bring back public confidence in their system," he said, noting that a reliable, dependable service would do that over time.
Aitken said he's hoping to see a season that begins and runs without maintenance issues, and operates on schedule with a reservation system that serves the public's leisure and commercial needs.
"It's absolutely vital. I mean, it's vital to the eastern region, it's extremely important to the Island in general," he said. "The ferry system is highly important to the people of the region, to the businesses of the region on both sides of the strait."
Any issues with the service this year will be magnified in the eyes of the public, Aitken warned.
Season starts May 1
As the ferry season inches closer, one outstanding issue remains: the new ship is a tight fit into the dock at Wood Islands, NFL's Wilson said.
"It fits well into Caribou. It fits OK into Wood Islands," he said. "We need to do some more modifications on the rubber blocks, but it's not a big deal."
Transport Canada told CBC News it's working with the ferry operator to ensure the vessels are ready for the start of the season.
MV Confederation will begin service for the season on May 1, and MV Northumberland will begin service in mid-June.
During peak season, the service will offer eight round trips a day.
To welcome it to eastern P.E.I., the Northumberland will be open to the general public on April 26 and 27 as part of Doors Open Down East event.
The ship will depart the Wood Islands dock at 3:30 p.m. on April 27 to make its way back across the Northumberland Strait to Nova Scotia, where it has been docked at Pictou.