Yarmouth ferry service extended into 2026

The Nova Scotia government has decided to extend the seasonal ferry service between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, Maine, into the 2026 season, highlighting its benefits for tourism.

Previously, the province had established 10-year agreements to operate the ferry until 2025 and allocated $21 million for the service this year, although the final cost is still unknown.

"This also gives us the time we need to start planning for a long-term solution for this service. We know it is high value to Nova Scotians," Public Works Minister Kim Masland stated on Tuesday morning during an event held on the ferry in Yarmouth, N.S.

Over the past year, consulting firm 21FSP has been assessing the economic impacts of the ferry. Initially expected to deliver a report this fall, the province noted that the firm is still gathering and analyzing data.

On Tuesday, the firm released a report presenting its findings to date, which indicated a 20 percent increase in projected passenger numbers compared to 2023.

"We know our numbers are increasing. We know we need consistency with the service. We know that Americans are coming here, they're spending lots of money, they're traveling throughout our province," Masland explained.

The progress report indicated that visitors using the ferry spent approximately $20.1 million, a figure Masland described as a "shocking number" that "proves the reasons why we needed to do this economic impact study."

Masland mentioned she was not aware of any ferry service in the country or elsewhere that turned a profit, stating that most rely on subsidies.

The analysis revealed that visitors typically spent an average of eight nights in Nova Scotia and traveled across the province. About 71 percent of them visited southwestern Nova Scotia, while nearly a quarter traveled as far as Cape Breton.

It also found that 19 percent of U.S. visitors arrived in the province by ferry, classifying them as "high-value tourists" due to their spending habits and length of stay.

Calls for Long-Term Commitment

Attendees at Tuesday's event expressed that they were not surprised by the research findings supporting the ferry service's value, and they called on the province for a long-term commitment.

Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood referred to the extension as a "great start," but emphasized that developers need assurance that the ferry will operate as they make investments in the area.

Neil MacKenzie, CEO of the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association, expressed his excitement about the report's findings, noting that plans ranging from bus tours to tourism marketing are often made years in advance.

Zach Churchill, the MLA for Yarmouth, described the extension as a "victory and vindication" for all those advocating for the service.

"I have to say it's really satisfying to see people who have been the chief critics of this service change their tune and actually start supporting it," he remarked, but he added that a longer commitment is essential for businesses reliant on tourism.

The final report on the ferry's economic impact is now anticipated next year.

When 21FSP was awarded the contract, it was valued at $180,000.

Should the service continue beyond 2026, the province will need to establish new agreements with the vessel operator and U.S. terminal.

"Obviously, we would like to secure a longer-term deal. I think that process will be underway to make that happen," said Mark Wilson, president and CEO of Bay Ferries, which operates the service.