Trans-Erie Ferry Service

(Cleveland, Ohio) Using two conventional ferries, one based in Cleveland and one in Port Stanley, Ontario, the Trans-Erie Ferry Service is expected to carry 250,000 passengers and 67,000 vehicles yearly. Currently in development, the project resulted from several years of study which indicated a substantial demand for the service. Analysis also determined that a private company could operate the ferry service profitably. The spring of 2006 has been targeted for launch of the business.

After review of proposals submitted by seven ferry companies, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority announced that Royal Wagenborg, an experienced ship owner and operator based in The Netherlands, was selected to provide the service. In Cleveland, the Port Authority will build a terminal and lease it to Royal Wagenborg. With strong backing from Senators Mike DeWine and George Voinovich, Congressman Steven LaTourette and the Ohio Department of Transportation, there currently appears to be no major restraint to the project on the Ohio side of Lake Erie.

In Ontario, however, project development is lagging due to uncertainty regarding the Canadian Coasting Trade Act. The act restricts foreign companies to one-year business licenses. Royal Wagenborg has balked at the idea of investing millions of dollars if there is the possibility that it would lose its license to operate after only one year. Ongoing discussions between the Port Authority and Canadian officials will hopefully resolve the issue soon. Action required is a favorable interpretation or change in the law.

From the perspective of this Ohioan and even disregarding the economic and jobs benefit the ferry would provide, the thought of taking a boat trip across Lake Erie as opposed to driving for several hours through Detroit or Buffalo to get to Canada is attractive.