PORTLAND – Officials for a company that operates a high-speed catamaran ferry from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia are exploring the possibility of expanding operations farther south.

Representatives from Bay Ferries were in Portland this week to discuss the possibility of operating a ferry from the city to Nova Scotia in the wake of the collapse of the city’s long-standing relationship with Scotia Prince Cruises.

Portland attorney Harold Pachios represents Bay Ferries and confirmed the company was taking “a hard look” at Portland.

“They have for a period of time made it known that they were interested in adding to their service area,” he said. “It appears now that no one is presently prepared to serve the city with ferry service.”

The voyage from Portland to Nova Scotia would be very different on “The Cat” than on the Scotia Prince. The Scotia Prince took about 11 hours, and promoted itself as a leisurely cruise experience, with cabins, casino games and live musical shows.

The Cat provides more of an airplane-like experience and would travel from Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in less than six hours. The boat travels at about twice the speed of conventional ships.

Besides the Bar Harbor-to-Nova Scotia route, Bay Ferries also operates ferries from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia, and from Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island.

Scotia Prince Cruises last week canceled its 2005 schedule and claimed the city had failed to remove toxic mold found in the city-owned International Marine Terminal. The company has filed a lawsuit seeking $20 million in damages.

Portland City Manager Joseph Gray Jr. said Scotia Prince workers were removing the last of the company’s property from city buildings on Tuesday.

Portland officials plan to file a counterclaim, saying Portland has invested $1.2 million in terminal improvements and will lose roughly $400,000 in annual rent without the Scotia Prince. The city plans to have its own mold study of the terminal completed by the end of this week.