Natural infilling requires periodic dredging of the entrance channel of the Wood Islands Ferry Terminal in Prince Edward Island.
On this page
- Caribou to Wood Islands ferry route
- Regular dredging requirements
- Considerations and timelines
- Map of the dredge and disposal area
- Importance of ferry service
- Contact us
Caribou to Wood Islands ferry route
The Wood Islands – Caribou ferry service is a vital lifeline for Eastern Canadian communities connecting people, goods, and opportunities. From visiting loved ones to getting goods to market, these services help sustain vibrant, resilient communities and support local economies.
The Government of Canada continues to invest in the service to maintain essential transportation links for Canadians, tourists, and businesses across Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec. This includes recurring maintenance work such as dredging.
Regular dredging requirements
Regular maintenance dredging of the Northumberland Strait is needed to ensure the safe and reliable operation of ferry services connecting Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Caribou, Nova Scotia, as the channel naturally infills over time.
Transport Canada recently removed approximately 60,000 cubic meters of material including sand and sandstone from the navigation channel and inner harbour at the Wood Islands Ferry Terminal. Although dredging activities are typically required every five years, they are becoming more frequent due to various factors, including environmental conditions.
All dredging activities are carried out in accordance with the regulations set out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Considerations and timelines
Dredging is complex and requires careful planning and management to minimize environmental impacts and disruptions to marine activities. Projects can take several months to be implemented due to environmental considerations, engineering and planning, regulatory approvals, stakeholder consultations and procurement activities.
Throughout the planning phase of the project, Transport Canada has engaged local authorities including the PEI provincial government and various associations, including those representing local fishers, to discuss progress and alleviate concerns. Transport Canada has also worked with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada regarding the project’s implications.
Consultation was a key aspect of selecting a disposal site, a process that included a thorough analysis by a third-party firm who also engaged the relevant stakeholders.
- 2022 to 2025: Assessment and planning
- May 2025: permitting and approval
- June to July 2025: contracting
- September to December 2025: main dredging work (90% of total material)
- April 8, to 21 2026: completion of remaining dredging (10% of total material)
Contract timelines were selected to avoid interfering with the local lobster fishing season which spans May to June and minimizes the potential for delays caused by ice forming in the harbour over winter months. Dredging contractors also worked closely with Northumberland Ferries Ltd. (NFL) to plan activities around the ferry schedule, minimizing disruptions and ensuring that the work did not interfere with ferry operations.
Map of the dredge and disposal area
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Map of the project location, dredge and disposal area around Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island.
Importance of ferry service
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability of the Wood Islands–Caribou ferry service, which plays a vital role for Islanders, Nova Scotians, and regional businesses.
Operated by Northumberland Ferries Limited from May to December, the service responds to commercial transportation needs during the shoulder seasons and supports significant tourism demand during the summer months. The route plays a longstanding and vital role for communities and businesses in Eastern Prince Edward Island, supporting regional economic activity and providing an important secondary transportation link to the mainland. During peak operations, the service is delivered using two vessels, the MV Confederation and the MV Northumberland.
Contact us
For more information about the dredging work at Wood Islands, email: questions@tc.gc.ca
If you have questions about environment or marine protection measures, please reach out to enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca and info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca