In the minds of the Cruise Ship Industry, the concept of a Mega Pier for docking cruise ships is not dead!
Here are the exact words describing Bar Harbor’s plans for the future from cruisemapper.com. (on the web site home page, choose PORTS, then scroll down to Bar Harbor- this info is at the end of the article):
” (NEW) Bar Harbor cruise terminal “Marine Atlantic”
As tendering passengers increases cruise companies’ costs, there is a plan for conversion of port’s old international ferry terminal (on Eden Street) to a combined ferry-cruise terminal facility.
The town voted on June 13, 2017 (Article 12) to re-zone the old ferry terminal. Following the vote (945 to 658), the town purchased the state-owned Marine Atlantic property (former ferry terminal) from Maine Department of Transportation. This facility currently serves two Bay Ferries ships (The Cat, The Bluenose) connecting Bar Harbor with Nova Scotia Canada (Yarmouth).
In February 2019 was signed a 5-year lease deal (until 2024) with annual rent CAD 264,000.
By the lease agreement, Bay Ferries started a major terminal renovation project that includes demolition and rebuilding of Customs Plaza, as well as renovation of outbuildings and portions of terminal building’s interior.
Customs Plaza’s renovation also includes installing new equipment (required by US Customs and Border Protection), repairs to the existing docking pier, installing a new fixed bridge section (adjacent to the pier), transfer of the floating ferry ramp from Portland to Bar Harbor.
Nova Scotia contributed to the cost of ferry terminal’s border services. Since the Maine-Nova Scotia ferry service was resumed (2015-2018), the NS government spent CAD 32 million in subsidies.
Article 12’s zoning change allows cruise (and other) vessels to dock at the ferry terminal. Several lawsuits (filed by locals) were against this port development project. As of 2019, Ferry Terminal Visioning Committee has approved the state-owned property to be used as multi-use terminal. The current deal includes a 5-year lease for the CAT ferry providing daily connections Bar Harbor-Yarmouth. Other terminal uses could include a possible yacht marina, boat storage, overflow parking (for tourists), cruise ship tendering.
The town has a webpage dedicated to materials developed by consultants and the local committee process. More information can be found at barharbormaine.gov/393/Ferry-Terminal. Anyone interested in this issue could follow port developments on the website.”
(NEW) Bar Harbor cruise terminal “Marine Atlantic”
As tendering passengers increases cruise companies’ costs, there is a plan for conversion of port’s old international ferry terminal (on Eden Street) to a combined ferry-cruise terminal facility.
