PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- New Hampshire and Canadian officials are discussing a year-round ferry service from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, to Portsmouth.

Pease International Tradeport officials recently visited Yarmouth and toured the port, discussing the need to offer passenger and cargo services, the Portsmouth Herald reported.

For a typical ferry boat, the trip from port to port is 12 hours. Without use of a ferry, trucks would have to travel 800 miles.

Pease Executive Director David Mullen said he will ask the Pease board of directors to sign a memorandum of cooperation stating both sides' interest at its August 20 meeting.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)