Governor LePage Welcomes New Ferry Service to Maine

Portland, Maine - Governor Paul R. LePage welcomed Nova Star Cruises to Maine on Tuesday as the company officially announced the new ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine will begin in May 2014.

"Nova Scotia and Maine have a unique opportunity to connect its citizens and economies. With this critical link restored, we can build on the ferry service as an economic driver and continue to build partnerships between the two regions," said Governor Paul LePage.

The Province of Nova Scotia has signed an agreement with Quest Navigation, Inc. - a Maine-based company - and ST Marine Ltd. to restore the Yarmouth-Portland ferry service. The Cat, which operated from 2006 to 2009, was the last ferry service between the two regions.

In August, Governor LePage welcomed Nova Scotia's economic development minister to Maine as productive talks continued on the development of a new ferry service. The Governor met with Graham Steele, the province's Minister of Economic and Rural Development, at the Ocean Gateway in Portland where he formally offered Minister Steele marketing assistance from the State of Maine, as well as help to secure an operating line of credit from a lending institution.

"We are excited to have reached an agreement with the province, and we are looking forward to offering passengers a unique and entertaining travel experience between Yarmouth and Portland," said Mark Amundsen, president and CEO, Quest Navigation. "Over the next few months we will continue to work full steam ahead with the province, our partners and the tourism industry to begin ferry service in May 2014."

Nova Star Cruises estimates that more than 100,000 passengers will travel on the brand-new, cruise ferry, Nova Star, in the first year of operation.

Company officials will release more details about Nova Star and the service, including fare structure, exclusive vacation packages and other passenger and tourism operator information, in Nova Scotia and Portland over the coming weeks.

Governor LePage Meets With Nova Scotia Economic Minister About New Ferry Service

Portland, Maine - Governor Paul R. LePage welcomed Nova Scotia's economic development minister to Maine on Wednesday as productive talks continue on the development of a new ferry service between the two regions. The Governor met with Graham Steele, the province's Minister of Economic and Rural Development, at the Ocean Gateway in Portland yesterday afternoon.

During the meeting, Steele provided an update on Nova Scotia's plans as it moves forward with negotiations with STM Quest - the Maine-based company - chosen to set up and run a new ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine.

"Since 2009, Nova Scotia and Maine have missed a critical link between our citizens and economies," said Governor LePage. "On behalf of the people of Maine, we welcome restoration of this important service and economic driver."

Governor LePage was pleased to learn that Nova Scotia chose STM Quest and formally offered Minister Steele marketing assistance from the State of Maine, as well as help to secure an operating line of credit from a lending institution.

"I'm really pleased with the response of the State and City leaders that I met with in Maine," said Minister Steele. "They're excited about the prospect of a re-established ferry link, and are ready to do their part to make to make it happen."

STM Quest, Inc., is a joint venture between Quest Navigation of Maine and ST Marine of Singapore. The ferry service is proposed to begin in the spring of 2014 using a new 161 meter ship that has capacity for 1250 passengers and 300 vehicles, and was the only Maine-based company to bid and commit in its plans a port of call in Portland, Maine.

This is the second economic development initiative the LePage Administration has assisted with to help bring business to the Portland waterfront. Governor LePage announced earlier this year that Eimskip (The Icelandic Steamship Company) signed a contract with Maine Port Authority to begin operations out of the International Marine Terminal in Portland.

Additionally, the Governor has dedicated $24 million in a proposed transportation bond for improvements to multimodal facilities that support projects, such as major development, on the Portland waterfront.

"Our roads and ports continue to be a focus of economic opportunity that helps create jobs," said Governor LePage. "The restoration of the ferry service will boost Portland's economy and Eimskip's service will open new markets for businesses to generate economic growth throughout Maine."