The long-talked about ferry terminal in Bar Harbor, Maine, could be coming into play for cruise ships calling sooner than later.

“The State is in the process of acquiring the terminal from a Canadian corporation,” John H. Henshaw, executive director of the Maine Port Authority, told Cruise Industry News. “Our longer-term plan is to turn it into a cruise terminal with a pier. In the near term we are going to use it for tendering operations.”

A deal could come as soon as August, with a lease-to-buy structured contract. A float system will need to be installed to accommodate tenders.

“I anticipate that will happen for 2017,” added Henshaw.