Port of Yarmouth releases master plan recommendations

The Port of Yarmouth has released the recommendations from a comprehensive master plan study.

Recommendations focus on a number of areas which included:

•Develop Yarmouth as an International Gateway to the province and pursue the concept of a New England-Nova Scotia intermodal corridor, including the handling of truck traffic on a year-round ferry service. The port would work with shippers, partner with the port(s) in the United States that provides the best overall origin and destination connections including Portland, Maine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Gloucester, Massachusetts and Boston, Massachusetts and work with U.S. officials to develop a U.S. Customs Pre-Clearance Facility for trucks, ferry passengers and vehicles. This should be done in conjunction with the airport with the focus on meeting U.S. objectives to push the U.S. border out.

•Expand marine based tourism-by focusing on three major short term areas of expansion; ferry passengers and vehicles, pocket cruise ships, and luxury yachts including mega-yachts.

•Develop a signature waterfront attraction

•Invest $20 million in infrastructure improvements and reorient port facilities including the Yarmouth Marine Terminal, Lobster Rock Terminal, new bulk terminal, harbour dredging, a new global logistics district and a new ferry facility.

•Enhance its offering to the fishing fleets industry, which needs a protected area that provides shelter for berthing and servicing of vessels, as well as infrastructure for maintenance and repair.

The port will brief the press and public on the details of the plan on Wednesday March 4, at 11:00 a.m. in the Maple Room at the Rodd Colony Inn.