YARMOUTH, Nova Scotia — Nova Scotia officials have rejected two new proposals for operating a ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Maine. Proposals were
submitted by Quest Navigation Inc. of Eliot, which planned to begin service this summer, and Maritime Applied Physics Corp. of Baltimore.
Both were rejected, according to the provincial government, because they failed to meet standards set for the service.
According to a statement from Percy Paris, Nova Scotia’s minister of economic and rural development and tourism, the province will continue its search for an operator this spring with a projected start date of 2014.
“We know this is disappointing news and I share in this disappointment,” Paris said, but pledged to continue the effort to re-establish ferry service from Yarmouth to Maine.
“People in southwestern Nova Scotia want to see a viable ferry service in Yarmouth,” he said. “So does this government. Nova Scotians living in this region deserve the right service, one they can count on being there for the long-term.”
Another statement released by Paris’ office said that an evaluation committee consisting of representatives from government departments and the private sector reviewed the proposals and determined that neither met the minimum criteria
outlined in the province’s request for proposals. That office declined to comment
regarding the specific reasons why the proposals failed to meet the criteria
because the information was considered proprietary.
Ferry service between Maine and Nova Scotia ceased in 2009 after the Nova Scotia
government decided to stop subsidizing the service.
The province agreed last year to commit up to $21 million to support the establishment of a new cruise ferry in Yarmouth if certain conditions were met. Those conditions included a sound business plan from a qualified operator showing a viable, profitable service within seven years, and timely support from the federal government.
Paris reported that the province will be working closely with the Nova Scotia International Ferry Partnership to promote this opportunity for ferry companies.
He said the chairman of the partnership, Keith Condon, has heard from a number
of ferry companies that might be interested, but timing was a major issue.
An expert panel reviewed studies and met with groups last year to determine the conditions necessary for a viable ferry service. In its 2012 report, “Re-Establishing a Yarmouth Ferry? An Analysis of the Issues,” the panel identified the following conditions: the service must provide a high-quality on-board experience, be supported by a sophisticated marketing strategy and help support a strong tourist experience in southwest Nova Scotia.
In light of that report, Paris said the province will not only continue its search for a qualified operator but also will be appointing a team of tourism, community and business leaders to make southwestern Nova Scotia more appealing to tourists.