Vehicles and travellers come off of The CAT ferry during a late 2025 season sail from Yarmouth to Bar Harbor. TINA COMEAUArticle contentA significant drop in Canadians travelling to the United States resulted in a decline of almost 10,000 passengers and more than 3,000 vehicles travelling on The CAT ferry between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor during the 2025 season.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentEven so, it was still the second-highest number of passengers in the last four years, according to statistics released by the ferry’s operator, Bay Ferries Limited (BFL), on Oct. 22.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentA total of 39,745 passengers and 16,233 vehicles used the CAT ferry between May 15 and Oct. 15 in 2025, compared to 49,299 passengers and 19,935 vehicles in 2024.Article contentIn 2023, there were 38,399 passengers and 15,348 vehicles sailing to and from Yarmouth and Bar Harbour. In the 2022 season, 36,003 passengers and 14,972 vehicles used the service.Article content“The vessel and crew had a strong operating season in terms of safety, reliability and customer service,” said Mark Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of BFL, in a media release. “It is a testament to the hard work of the team at BFL and all our key contractors that 2025 was a solid year, despite many issues beyond our control as a company.”Article contentA significant drop in Canadians using the service was the number one factor in the overall year-to-year decline in passenger bookings.Article contentMany Canadians have been boycotting travel to the United States because of actions by the Donald Trump administration. Americans, on the other hand, are still crossing the border.Article contentArticle content“We held very close to our prior years’ U.S. bookings to Nova Scotia,” said Wilson. “While Canadians are travelling less and less to the United States, The CAT is still bringing in tens of thousands of American visitors into Nova Scotia.”Article content Vehicles and travellers arrive in Nova Scotia via The CAT ferry during a late season sail from Yarmouth to Bar Harbor. TINA COMEAUArticle contentDarlene Grant Fiander, President of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS), said that The CAT is a very important asset to bringing visitors to the province.Article content“Given everything that has happened this past year with the geo-political climate, this service was able to continue to bring large numbers of high-value tourists to all of Nova Scotia,” said Grant Fiander. “This is one of several very important tourist conduits into our province and our tourism operators depend on predictability and stability as they work hard to attract visitors to Nova Scotia.”Article contentThe vessel completed 119 round trips in the 2025 season, with 13 round trips cancelled. Of the cancelled crossings, 12 were weather-related and one was due to a technical issue.Article contentBy early November, the 2026 season schedule for The CAT will be available and open for reservations. Marketing efforts for the 2026 season are already underway. Updates on the schedule and the ability to make reservations for next season will be available on the ferry’s website.Article content“We are excited to welcome passengers on The CAT next year,” said Wilson.Article contentArticle content
CAT ferry records 2nd highest number of passengers in last four years, even with fewer Canadian travellers
