Ferry Service Between Nova Scotia and PEI

USPA NEWS - On Friday, June 16th, the MV Confederation which is currently the only ferry providing service between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island developed a mechanical issue causing Northumberland Ferries Limited to suspend service until at least Monday, June 19th. This left many passengers scrambling to make other travel arrangements and forced many to use the Confederation Bridge which in a lot of cases causing more driving and inconvenience.

On Monday, June 19th, 2023, Senior Vice President of Northumberland Ferries Limited (NFL) Mark Wilson, issued the following statement on social media and the NFL website concerning the status of MV Confederation, operating the Prince Edward Island-Nova Scotia ferry service:

“On Friday, June 16, 2023, MV Confederation experienced an issue involving the drive connection between the port main engine and the central propulsion gearbox. This has been further identified as a mechanical flexible coupling in the propulsion drivetrain. The NFL team worked over the weekend to try to fix the issue by using a coupling from company spares inventory. Unfortunately, this was not successful and a new part has been ordered. The part must be manufactured as it is not stocked internationally. The estimated time for the new part is three to four weeks."

“Service is therefore suspended until the part has been manufactured, delivered, installed and tested. As a precaution, we are not accepting bookings for the next three weeks up to and including July 10. The second vessel for the 2023 peak operating season, MV Saaremaa 1, is currently in drydock in Quebec. It is scheduled to arrive in PEI in early July."

“This is a very unfortunate situation. We recognize the impact this has on our customers and the service and apologize for the disruption it is causing. We are working closely with the manufacturer and doing all we can to fast track the delivery of the part so that we can safely resume this important service as soon as possible.”

"All customers with reservations on sailings up to July 10 will be contacted to arrange a refund or re-book for alternate dates. Updates will be provided at our website www.ferries.ca when further information becomes available."

This latest event is just another major hurdle that Northumberland Ferries Limited has had to face within the last year. In July 2022, ferry service was reduced to one vessel, the MV Confederation, after a fire onboard the MV Holiday Island forced the second ferry to be deemed a total loss and scrapped. The MV Saaremaa 1 was provided on loan to NFL for the remainder of the 2022 season to help the company cope with the loss of their second vessel.