Princess of Acadia ferry replacement to set sail this spring

The Princess of Acadia ferry's replacementwill go into service some time this spring, according to Transport Canada.

Work to refit the $44.6-million ship for service in the Bay of Fundy,between Saint John and Digby, N.S., is ongoingin Halifax, officials said.

The new ship will be faster and more efficient than the old Princess of Acadia.It willalso offerimproved onboard amenities, including various passenger lounges and a cafeteria.

Canada purchased the 124-metre vessel, formerly known asIthaki,from a Greek ferry operator last fall.

A contest to name the ferry, nowreferred to asCanada 2014,closed in February.

Federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt was to makethe final decision on the new name, butthe winning choice has not yet been announced.

The 43-year-old Princess of Acadia will go up for sale when the new ship arrives.

If a new owner can't be found, the ship will likely be scrapped.