Dredging at both Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I., combined with clearer communications and major vessel upgrades, are aimed at improving reliability on the Wood Islands–Caribou ferry route that plays a key role in eastern P.E.I.’s trucking supply chain.

The work will deepen both ports from 4.5 meters to 5.5 meters, eliminating low-tide restrictions that have constrained sailings and disrupted schedules, according to Jeff Joyce, vice president and general manager of Northumberland Ferries.

Joyce was responding to a report that said declining reliability on the route is driving up transportation costs for carriers serving Eastern P.E.I. and straining supply chains across the region’s export-dependent industries.

Produced by Jupia Consultants for the Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce (EPEICC), the report said repeated disruptions, berth limitations, and dredging-related weight restrictions have eroded confidence in a service long considered essential for commercial trucking.

Once complete, Joyce said the deeper channels are expected to allow vessels to operate without being limited by tidal conditions, improving consistency for trucks and other commercial traffic.

Better explanation of delays

He said the dredging does not include the secondary berths previously used by MV Holiday Island. Those berths are not compatible with the wider MV Confederation and MV Northumberland, and their condition would require significant upgrades beyond dredging. There are no plans to return those berths to service.

After the report was released, EPEICC president Blair Aitken said ferries must run on a regular schedule to demonstrate reliability.

Beyond infrastructure, Joyce said the company is placing renewed emphasis on transparency and communication in response to concerns raised by trucking and business stakeholders. Northumberland Ferries is developing new communications materials to better explain weather-related delays, cancellations, and the scope of winter maintenance periods.

How cancellation decisions are made

The company also plans to provide more clarity on how cancellation decisions are made. Sea state and wind conditions in the middle of the Northumberland Strait can differ significantly from conditions at shore and can change rapidly. Decisions are made using multiple factors, including wind, waves, visibility, and vessel-handling characteristics, relying on the judgment of crews, captains, and management.

In the chamber’s report, carriers cited supply delays, inconsistent routing for outbound freight, and increased wear on equipment linked to longer travel through the Island’s two-lane road network.

Trucks disembarking at Caribou, N.S., reach a four-lane highway within 20 kilometers. Those using the Confederation Bridge may need to travel up to 175 kilometers before connecting to equivalent infrastructure. The report said the ferry reduces strain on P.E.I.’s road network, limits congestion, and supports provincial goals for reducing transportation-related emissions.

Northumberland Ferries is paying attention to the feedback it receives. It has formalized stakeholder engagement through a ferry advisory panel that includes representatives from commercial trucking groups, regional tourism organizations, local businesses, and political leaders. The panel held its first meeting in November 2025 and is scheduled to meet quarterly.

Acting on feedback

Joyce said the company has already begun acting on feedback from the panel’s initial meeting and views it as a key mechanism for identifying operational issues and guiding continuous improvement. The panel is intended to help ensure ferry service supports regional supply chains, community vitality, and local economic development.

Asset upgrades are another component of the improvement plan. MV Confederation and MV Northumberland are undergoing winter refits, including major upgrades to bridge equipment. Existing systems are being replaced with modern, fully integrated navigation and control technology.

Despite the improvements, Joyce said there are no current plans to offer year-round service. The Northumberland Strait freezes during winter months, and the existing vessels are not rated for ice operations.