Talks about a ferry service between Eemshaven, Groningen and Norway have been confirmed by Dutch provincial executive Henk Emmens (BBB) after questions from GroenLinks in the Provincial Council. 

Ferry connection between the Netherlands and Norway

In September 2023, the ferry service by Holland Norway Lines went bankrupt. The ferry sailed between Eemshaven and Kristiansand, Norway and provided an important connection between the Netherlands and the land of the midnight sun.

Now, the connection is in sight again as the province is in talks with the Dutch port company Groningen Seaports and an entrepreneur who want to get the ferry service back up and running. This would provide another means of transportation to and from Norway, in addition to train and plane travel.

Discussions are apparently also taking place with a port in Norway. “At this stage, we cannot make any additional statements about which port and which company. We can say that we are having the conversations because the connection with Norway offers opportunities for trade and tourism,” said Emmens. 

Lessons learned from previous Holland-Norway ferry service

Deputy Henk Emmens has also said that they have learned from the previous ferry service and will pay more attention to certain aspects, such as mooring facilities and freight traffic areas. For example, a future ship should be able to moor without tugboats in all weather including strong winds, which was not the case with the old ferry service.

According to Emmens, they should also look for another mooring place where there is more space for freight traffic.  “Where they can moor more easily and load and unload faster. So that less time is needed on the quay and you can work more effectively,” said the provincial executive. Other than these key points, the BBB deputy has revealed little about the current negotiations and any future plans.

Thumb image credit: Malte Florian Klein / Shutterstock.com