US government approves first ferry service to Cuba in decades; unclear if Cuba to allow it

HAVANA – The Obama administration has approved the first ferry service in decades between the United States and Cuba, potentially opening a new path for the hundreds of thousands of people and hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer goods that travel between Florida and Havana each year.

Baja Ferries, which operates passenger service in Mexico, said it had received a license from the Treasury Department on Tuesday. Robert Muse, an attorney for Baja Ferries, said he believed that several other ferry services petitions have also been approved. The Treasury Department said it could not immediately confirm that.

Muse said Baja had yet to request approval from Cuba, but said he was optimistic the service would allow a significant increase in trade and travel between the two countries.