Yarmouth to Maine ferry service extended for a year

While an extension between the province and Bay Ferries Ltd. secures another season of operation for the Yarmouth to Bar Harbor, Me., service, it’s not exactly the news people were hoping for.

“We’re thrilled we got The CAT for another year, (but) we are looking for that long-term contract,” said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood.

“It’s hugely important not just for tourism but for economics, as well. We’ve got businesses that want to build and they can’t do that without a long-term contract and certainly can’t go for a bank loan if they  don’t have the certainty. It’s important not to wait until next year but to get it done as quickly as possible.”

The province announced the one-year extension on Oct. 16, two days after The CAT made its final sail for the season. Passenger traffic increased by 10 per cent for the 2026 season. A total of 44,032 passengers and 18,124 vehicles used The CAT ferry in 2026 – the second highest passenger numbers of the last five years.

“Knowing that the Yarmouth ferry will continue to operate uninterrupted next season is a success under difficult circumstances,” Public Works Minister Fred Tilley said in a news release. “We know our job is not done, and we will continue to pursue options that will give the people and businesses that depend on the ferry service they certainly deserve.”

The department, in partnership with Bay Ferries, will explore options to secure a sustainable, long-term future for the service that strengthens connections, supports local economic growth, and maximizes Nova Scotia’s investment for years to come, says the release.

“As the 2026 operating season comes to a close, we have been very pleased with our ability to deliver the provincial ferry service safely, efficiently, and with a focus on continued growth,” Mark Wilson, president and CEO of Bay Ferries Ltd., said in the release.

“The 10-per-cent growth over last year’s traffic is a testament to the hard work of our BFL employees and local contractors that work very hard to ensure high levels of ship and terminal operational readiness with a focus on exceptional customer service. We are already looking forward to the 2027 season.”

The CAT ferry will operate from May to October in 2027, the same as this year. By the end of October, The CAT’s 2027 schedule will be available and open for people to book for travel next year. Marketing efforts for the 2027 season are already underway. Updates on the schedule and the ability to make reservations will be available at www.ferries.ca/thecat.

Darlene Grant Fiander, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS), said The CAT continues to be a very important asset to bringing visitors to the province.

“It is great to see growth over last year which is very positive considering the geo-political climate,” said Grant Fiander. “This continues to be one of several very important tourist conduits into our province and our tourism operators depend on predictability and stability as they work hard to attract visitors to Nova Scotia.”

The vessel completed 120 round trips, with 12 round trips cancelled, all due to weather in 2026.

“We had a significant bounce-back year despite many issues beyond our control as a company,” said Wilson. “The vessel and our teams performed well on all accounts and we were able to grow the service bringing tens of thousands of high value visitors into Nova Scotia.”

About 85 per cent of the passengers were Americans with the other 15 per cent being Canadians.

“Americans using the service grew year over year making up the majority of the growth,” Wilson said.

An economic impact study of the Yarmouth-Maine ferry released in February concluded the Yarmouth to Maine ferry “continues to be a valued transportation option, positively impacting the tourism sector and supply chain participants in Nova Scotia and regionally. … Overall, the study indicates that the ferry delivers a net benefit to the province by redistributing visitor spending into Nova Scotia communities, particularly in rural areas. The service contributes to employment and household income in the tourism and service sectors and generates incremental tax revenues for both the province and municipalities. Small businesses, especially those in Southwest Nova, report meaningful gains from ferry-induced travel, while the service also helps connect visitors to destinations across the province.”

The province budgeted about $21 million for the service in 2026.

2026 – 44,032 passengers and 18,124 vehicles.

2025 – 39,745 passengers and 16,233 vehicles.

2024 – 49,299 passengers and 19,935 vehicles.

2023 – 38,399 passengers and 15,348 vehicles.

2022 – 36,003 passengers and 14,972 vehicles.