MV Confederation

[2] By November 1991, a contract was signed between the federal government and Pictou Industries to locally construct a new high-capacity ferry specifically designed for the route, with the anticipation of a second identical vessel eventually entering service.

Both Caribou and Wood Islands terminals received major upgrades to accommodate the proposed vessels almost immediately in order to be completed by the maiden voyage of the new ferry.

[4] Based on a Norwegian concept,[5] the ferry was to be double-ended due to the inability of a vessel of its size to turn around in both harbours, and she was to have an ice-strengthened bow.

In light of the announcement of the fixed link to Prince Edward Island around the same time of her introduction, plans to construct a sister ship were no longer considered viable due to a predicted reduction of traffic in the following years,[7] leaving Confederation as a completely unique vessel.

Despite additional crossings scheduled for the vessel,[8] local residents, the hospitality industry as a whole and commercial truckers protested as business suffered due to the reduction in service.