Remarks by the Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP:
Good morning, and thank you for joining us. Today, I'm announcing key updates to Bermuda’s ferry service.
At a recent meeting with the Corporation of St George’s, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, and local business and community leaders, I shared the 2026 Summer Ferry Schedule. The new schedule will start on April 6, 2026, and reflects the Ministry’s commitment to provide consistent, reliable and safe transportation to meet the needs of residents and visitors. And most important to the St. George’s community, I am pleased to announce that the summer ferry will run directly from Dockyard to St George’s, Monday through Saturday. The Monday to Saturday service will increase round-trip ferry capacity to St George’s by 133%, giving both visitors and residents better access to the East End during the 2026 summer season.
The Ministry has listened to residents, businesses, and stakeholders across the island. We heard a clear message: St. George’s needs more ferry service to boost economic activity, provide regular access for cruise visitors, and keep the Old Town lively. I am pleased to announce that the new summer ferry schedule meets these needs.
As cruise arrivals continue to grow, it is essential that our transportation network keeps pace. This year, weather permitting, we expect 194 cruise calls from March through November. The expanded lift on this route will help manage increased passenger volumes, reduce congestion, and support the continued success of our tourism industry, as noted by the increase in weekend cruise ship visits.
The arrival of two new 550‑passenger ferries marked a significant milestone in Bermuda’s ongoing commitment to modernising our public transportation infrastructure and strengthening the experience for both residents and visitors. These ferries offer enhanced accessibility, modern comforts, Wi-Fi, and are designed to reduce emissions and operational costs.
These new ferries will provide reliable, on‑time ferry service, a key component of Bermuda’s transportation, especially for our tourism sector, which supports our strategic goal of providing a world‑class experience that is efficient, enjoyable, and dependable.
Whether for daily commuting or exploring our island’s natural beauty, the upgraded fleet reinforces our commitment to service excellence for visitors and locals alike. The new ferries represent an investment not only in transportation, but in Bermuda’s future—supporting our economy, our tourism product, and the quality of life for our residents as outlined in the 2025 Throne Speech initiative.
Bermuda faces a long‑standing challenge: traffic congestion on our roads, particularly during peak morning and afternoon commute times. I will take this opportunity to offer a solution, especially for residents in the west who commute to Hamilton.
One of the most effective and immediate solutions available to us is already in place: the Rockaway–Hamilton commuter ferry service. This route remains one of the safest, fastest, and most scenic ways to travel into the City of Hamilton. It consistently reduces travel time, avoids road congestion entirely, and provides a calm, predictable start and end to the workday. Most importantly, increased use of ferry service directly supports the Ministry’s policies to adopt zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), which aim to lower carbon emissions and protect our island’s natural environment for future generations.
Commuters in Southampton and Sandys: make the Rockaway–Hamilton ferry your daily choice. It's reliable, comfortable, and faster than peak-hour driving. The route is still underutilised, with room for 112 more passengers—about 45% of capacity. Taking the ferry not only offers convenience but also helps make Bermuda greener.
This Government remains committed to a modern, efficient, and responsive public ferry system. The 2026 Summer Ferry Schedule is a direct result of listening to the public and investing in the infrastructure needed to meet Bermuda’s evolving transportation demands.
In closing, I remind the public of the government’s commitment to building a cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable transportation future for our island. We remain dedicated to continuous improvement and modernisation of Bermuda’s transportation infrastructure to enhance the delivery of public service.