A long-awaited study on the ‘CAT’ ferry is now with the provincial government.
They received the economic impact report on the Yarmouth to Bar Harbor, Maine vessel this week.
The firm ’21FSP’ began the study in 2023, they released a progress report in October, 2024.
The province then extended the service with operator Bay Ferries until the end of the 2026 season.
The progress report and final study will help inform future decisions, according to the government.
Public Works minister Fred Tilley wants the best deal possible.
“And to address some of the issues we have, like can we flag the ferry as Canadian, with a Nova Scotian crew. Using Nova Scotian businesses to support that, such as drydock and supplies,” said Tilley at Cabinet outs Thursday.
The final report is expected to be released publicly ‘soon,’ after staff have a chance to fully review it, according to Tilley.
“We want to see the opportunities for Nova Scotia under any new plan, and to create jobs and make life better for Nova Scotians.”
Last year, the ‘CAT’ carried nearly 40,000 passengers, down about 19 percent from 2024.
The decrease was largely due to a drop in Canadian passengers going to the U.S.
The ‘CAT’ ferry season is set to run mid-May to mid-October.
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