Northumberland Ferries Limited faces audit after troubled season, says transport minister

Canada’s transport minister has announced plans to conduct an audit of Northumberland Ferries Limited, the company that operates the ferry service between Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) and Nova Scotia. Anita Anand expressed her concerns about the frequent interruptions to the ferry service during the 2024 sailing season, deeming them “unacceptable” in a statement from a senior federal government official.

The audit is intended to ensure that Northumberland Ferries has robust protocols in place to prevent future disruptions and guarantee safe operations. Anand emphasized the importance of putting Islanders first and ensuring that the ferries operate safely, reliably, and provide the level of service expected by residents of Atlantic Canada.

While the timeline for the audit was not immediately clear, Transport Canada has issued a tender for a contractor to conduct the review. Despite reaching out to Northumberland Ferries for comment, CBC News has not received a response.

The ferry service across the Northumberland Strait has faced challenges since the MV Holiday Island was scrapped following a fire onboard in 2022. Transport Canada had been utilizing the MV Confederation and leased the MV Saaremaa from Quebec as a temporary solution while searching for a replacement for the Holiday Island. However, a series of issues with the Confederation, including a collision with the wharf that rendered it out of service for weeks, continued to disrupt the service throughout the 2024 sailing season.

In a positive development, the MV Northumberland, formerly known as MV Fanafjord, recently arrived in Pictou, N.S. This vessel will become the second permanent ferry for the service when the sailing season commences later this year. Transport Canada acquired the MV Northumberland on Dec. 12, investing approximately $40 million in the vessel.

Despite the delayed arrival of the replacement ship for the Holiday Island, plans are underway for the ferry service between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia to resume in May. Northumberland Ferries typically operates one ferry during the shoulder seasons and two ferries during peak months.

The audit of Northumberland Ferries Limited reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of the ferry service, addressing the challenges faced during the previous sailing season, and prioritizing the needs of residents in Atlantic Canada.