A proposed Portsmouth–Nova Scotia ferry could rival the CAT route that links Bar Harbor to Yarmouth.
Mar 03, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden.
BAR HARBOR—A ferry service that once ran out of Portland, Maine has announced that it intends to revive, connecting Portsmouth, New Hampshire with Nova Scotia.
The Scotia Prince would be potentially a competitor for the Bay Ferry’s CAT, which brings passengers from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia and receives a $20 million subsidy from the Nova Scotian government.
“We are looking at all options for the ferry service that will maximize the benefits for Nova Scotia,” spokesperson Gary Andrea said in a statement, according to Devin Stevens of The Canadian Press.
Scotia Prince’s announcement comes after the Nova Scotian government released findings from a 70-page report about the ferry’s economic benefits to the area.
“The (ferry) generates significant economic benefits to Nova Scotia, not just to Yarmouth or southwest Nova Scotia,” the report by 21FSP Advisory reads.
Approximately 77% of ferry travelers stay in the Yarmouth area of the province, with 50% visiting the Halifax region and Annapolis Valley. Just under a third head to Cape Breton Island, which is 600 kilometres from the Yarmouth terminal.
Tourists who come by ferry, according to the report, spend more than those who travel by car, staying 8.4 days and spending $106 each day.
This equates to approximately $31-$42 million gross domestic product a year. Of that, approximately $1.7 to $2.7 million in revenue goes to the province. Labor income is somewhere between $12 and $18 million. Sales tax numbers range between $800,000 and $1.5 million.
That report, which cost approximately $250,000 (CAD), has not yet been made public. An interim version was released in October 2024, offering an early look at the consultants’ findings.
The high-speed ferry itself is owned by the U.S. Navy and leased to Bay Ferries, which operates the vessel under a contract with the Canadian government that runs through 2026.
In 2025, the CAT had a ridership of 39,700. It linked that drop to lower numbers of Canadians visiting the United States. In 2024, there were 49,300. The Town of Bar Harbor leases part of its ferry terminal property to the CAT.
The ferry’s 10-year-contract with the Canadian government ends this year. It’s anticipated that the government will send out requests for proposals (RFPs) for the continuation of ferry service. Bay Ferries continues to seek roughly $325,000 from the State of Maine to help pay for its pilotage fees.
According to Maine Public’s Nicole Ogrysko, Yarmouth’s mayor, Pam Mood, “said the report makes a clear case for the ferry service to continue. She said she believes the province should sign a long-term contract.”
“I have businesses ready to set up here, but if they’re tourism-based, they certainly aren’t going to dig their heels in and invest their hard-earned funds unless there’s a long-term contract that gives them some stability and ability to look forward and say, ‘we’re safe,’” Maine Public quoted Mood as saying.
However, the ferry service contract Canada supports does not necessarily have to be for the CAT and Bay Ferries. Scotia Prince seems hopeful for its own service.
“After a decade of meticulous planning, this rebirth promises affordable, overnight voyages that prioritize passenger comfort, entertainment, and convenience—filling a critical gap in cross-border travel while boosting economic ties between New England and Atlantic Canada,” the Scotia Prince’s media release announced.
The daily service hopes for a May 2027 launch and would run daily through November. This is the same season as the CAT’s.
“The plan, crafted by a seasoned team of 12 experts in marketing, legal, operations, port development, and ship management, has garnered strong support from stakeholders. Meetings with Nova Scotia government officials confirmed this as the optimal solution for taxpayers, echoing positive feedback from Portsmouth authorities last year. Strategic partnerships with VShips—one of the world’s largest ship management firms—for daily operations, and the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE) for port development and management, position Scotia Prince Cruises as a global leader in ferry services,” the release reads.
According to Jeff McMenemy of the Portsmouth Herald, “Garrett Henderson, a communications consultant for the company, said Scotia Prince Cruises has ‘six new owners’ preparing to revive the service once operated between Portland, Maine, and Nova Scotia. He acknowledged the company is in ‘such early stages’ that he could not identify the new owners or specify the current location of the vessel they intend to use for the Portsmouth–Nova Scotia route.”
The Scotia Prince has a much longer travel time and route than the CAT’s. However, it is billing itself as a place of “overnight luxury at affordable prices.” That luxury will include a casino, bars, and an entertainment lounge and multiple dining options. It will also be able to carry transport trucks.
“As the 10-year contract for the current provider concludes, Scotia Prince Cruises eagerly anticipates responding to a new Request for Proposals (RFP) from the Government of Nova Scotia for financial assistance. This initiative not only revives a beloved route but also promises economic growth, job creation, and enhanced tourism for both regions,” the release reads.
If the Scotia Prince receives the contract, those regions would be in New Hampshire and Nova Scotia.
We reached out last week to the Scotia Prince. They returned our email, but did not answer our questions and said they would call. They have not called. We’ll update the story and link back if we hear from them.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
As Canada Reviews Ferry Contract, Maine Weighs State Support
Article about the Scotia Prince’s history.
RECENT BRIEFS AND PRESS RELEASES
To see all the press releases, click here. To see our news, click here. For the full archive, click here. All of these are on our dedicated website.
You can help us keep bring you daily, local news from people who live here.
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Discover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.