Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel encouraged the City of Mackinac Island and Hoffmann Marine to enter mediation with a mutually selected mediator to resolve their ongoing disputes, according to an April 28 statement. Hoffmann Marine operates all commercial passenger ferry services to the island, including Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry and Mackinac Island Ferry Company.
The dispute is significant because more than one million visitors travel to Mackinac Island each year, making access via ferries crucial for tourism, residents, and businesses. The continued operation of these ferries is essential for maintaining the island’s role in Michigan’s tourism industry.
Litigation between Hoffmann Marine and the City began in March 2025 over whether the city can regulate ferry rates. Recently, Hoffmann Marine sent letters indicating it may stop operations next year. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has warned that ongoing litigation is counterproductive and recommended finding a “sensible business solution” before current agreements expire in 2027.
Nessel said: “Mackinac Island is vital to our state’s tourism industry. With more than one million visitors each year, the continued vitality of the Island and access to natural wonders depend on a collaborative relationship between the City and the owner of the ferries that serve as the primary gateway to its shores.”
She also said: “With the current agreements expiring next year, both sides should not be consumed by a long legal battle that serves no one – not residents, not business owners, and not the tourists who boost Michigan’s economy. I urge the City and Hoffmann Marine to prioritize a ‘sensible business solution’ that preserves the Mackinac Island experience for years to come.”
The situation remains unresolved as both parties consider their options ahead of next year’s expiration date.