The future of a ferry service that runs from Portland, Maine, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia is uncertain, after Canadian officials announced the end of its relationship with the Nova Star Cruises Thursday.
The luxury ferry service has only been running for two years, but ridership never rose to projected levels. Nova Star Cruises had anticipated 100,000 passengers annually, but they never broke 60,000 riders.
Officials in Nova Scotia say they are in talks with a different company, Bay Ferries, to possibly run the route.
"We really weren't surprised, but we're sad to see [Nova Star Cruises] go," said Lynn Tillotson, President of the Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Nova Star Cruises CEO Mark Amundsen said in a prepared statement, "Nova Star Cruises is disappointed it has not been selected to continue operating the ferry service... We will work with the Province of Nova Scotia toward a smooth transition to the 2016 operating season."
The Bay Ferries operator has experience with the route between Portland and Nova Scotia. Years ago, the company had a high-speed ferry service between the two cities called the CAT.
"We'd like to welcome Bay Ferries and we look forward to negotiating a contract for operations with them," said Portland City Manager Jon Jennings.
