Ferry service between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia set to resume soon
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The ferry between Nova Scotia and P.E.I. could possibly be again up and operating as quickly as this weekend, says Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay.
In a June 28 tweet, MacAulay mentioned a alternative half for the MV Confederation will probably be shipped from Germany this week.
The ferry has been out of fee since earlier this month due to a technical situation.
Preliminary estimates anticipated it to be out of service till mid-July.
MacAulay mentioned in his tweet the MV Confederation could possibly be operating once more as quickly as it’s repaired.
I’ve gotten phrase {that a} alternative half for the MV Confederation will probably be shipped from Germany this week, and could possibly be operating once more as quickly because the weekend. We’ll maintain people up-to-date as extra data turns into accessible. pic.twitter.com/9TErqpgOyA
— Lawrence MacAulay (@L_MacAulay) June 28, 2023
In the meantime, it is going to be one other yr earlier than a brand new ferry will be constructed and dealing on the P.E.I.-Nova Scotia crossing, Transport Canada mentioned June 27.
In an e-mail to SaltWire, Hicham Ayoun, a senior communications adviser, mentioned the brand new ferry continues to be within the design stage.
Transport Canada had beforehand informed SaltWire {that a} new vessel can be prepared in 2027.
“It’s anticipated to be in service in 2028 primarily based on the work to be accomplished and the venture’s notional timelines,” Ayoun mentioned.
“The brand new ferry could have a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with onboard vitality methods (resembling) batteries to considerably scale back greenhouse fuel emissions, air pollution and underwater radiated noise.”
Northumberland Ferries Ltd., which isn’t taking bookings for the MV Confederation till July 10, has secured the MV Saaremaa for the height 2023 season. It’s anticipated to reach from dry dock in Quebec in mid-July. The Saaremaa was chartered in July 2022 when an engine hearth disabled the MV Vacation Island.
Ayoun mentioned Transport Canada continues to work with the ferry operator to determine choices for a longer-term interim alternative for the MV Vacation Island, which has since been decommissioned, to make sure a two-vessel service throughout peak season.
Dave Stewart is a reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by e-mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @DveStewart.