“Do you see that big rock over there?” the hotel reception manager gestured out into the remarkably sunny day on the northern tip of Denmark “That’s where the bus normally stops.” I nodded to indicate my understanding — my eyesight being what it is — and crossed the road to wait near that said rock My brain started doing that thing where it cycles through increasingly apocalyptic scenarios — Should’ve gotten a taxi I wonder how long it takes to walk to the terminal These thoughts only ramped up as the bus’s alleged departure time came and went I had pretty much accepted missing the ferry and becoming a permanent resident of Hirtshals — and then I saw it: a huge bus materialising out of a turn a few streets below casually backing up towards no one else but me standing near that “rock.”   Sitting in a half-empty ferry terminal beside MS Norröna — or Norræna in Icelandic — I was similarly confused about how and why I’d ended up here I think it involved several pints with coworkers someone saying “What if,” and “Who in their right mind would take the last ship to Iceland?” I’m pretty sure my publisher rambled on about something about Haustskip — a concept from some medieval novel about the final ship of the year that only he seemed to understand — and me agreeing to this adventure with a dry “I can do it,” thinking I’d be a small step closer to great adventurers like Thor Heyerdahl whose journeys fuelled my imagination growing up and finally sail for 66 hours to Seyðisfjörður The ferry company’s staff tried their best to steer me toward a summer booking I stubbornly insisted on this particular trip: their last of the season I boarded the Norræna — the largest ferry operated by Faroese company Smyril Line running between Denmark she makes twice-weekly trips from Hirtshals to Tórshavn and weekly voyages on to Seyðisfjörður before suspending the Iceland route until spring while maintaining weekly service to the Faroes through winter It’s the biggest ship I’ve ever been on — capable of carrying 1,482 passengers The ship boasts over 300 cabins — from fancy suites to spartan hostel-like couchettes — though in November My travel companion and I were generously accommodated in two separate Nordic Deluxe cabins on Deck 8 Each cabin was furnished with a double bed and a minibar stocked with snacks and a selection of drinks The real highlight was the panoramic window with its cosy nook — an ideal spot for soaking in the endless views Each of the 34 Nordic Deluxe cabins is named after a bird with mine dedicated to the Knópsvanur — the Mute Swan in English my name was announced through the PA system only to be offered even more snacks — a delightfully unexpected touch A stroll through Norræna’s corridors — in service since 2003 — felt like a nostalgic journey back in time While the ship has seen updates over the years thanks to its wood-panelled walls and carpeted floors and finally sail for 66 hours to Seyðisfjörður.” As the ship departed the port of Hirshals and ploughed into the North Sea the first night was about looking behind every corner trying to navigate the maze of corridors and observing the mix of characters that gathered on board dreading the challenge of falling asleep on a vessel slicing through the waves at half-speed When I finally tucked myself into the crisp boat-hotel bedsheets I realised I’d made the mistake of not closing the bathroom door only to slam shut with a sharp bang as we tipped into the next wave procrastinating the inevitable moment I’d have to get up and deal with it When I finally stood to close the damned thing I noticed it was well past 1:00 and decided to take a stroll there’s a constant noise on a ship that never quite goes away the source is obvious — the wheels on the tracks The wind whistling through the ship’s corridors Or could it be the sound of someone slowly losing their mind After a walk through the empty hallways and a brief unsuccessful attempt at stargazing on deck I returned to my cabin and preemptively took a seasickness pill it houses a bar and a café offering pastries and a selection of drinks Laterna Magica featured comfy couches and armchairs allowing passengers to watch the sea at any time of day but there were always a few passengers scattered across the deck whenever I visited — five men sitting in silence gazing at the sky as it turned dark grey; a father-son duo playing Uno; a lone traveller sipping a beer while listening to something My fellow passengers seemed content to let time idle away while a sea gannet raced alongside the ship Though I hoped to encounter a cast of quirky characters each story I heard was disappointingly dry I’d imagined meeting fellow romantic souls — people drawn to endless horizons and shifting seascapes birdwatchers spending hours on deck telling off anyone who dared to mistake a gannet for a seagull or at least an aerophobe or two choosing the long way home due to their fear of flying when asked why they were on this late season sailing my fellow passengers had only mundane responses to offer “What do you mean ‘why I’m on this ferry?’ I’m going home,” said one passenger as if I were a customs officer about to deny him entry for looking suspicious Travelling between Denmark and the Faroe Islands this passenger usually opts to fly and rent a car in Denmark “It’s 36 hours to sail and four hours to fly from my house in Tórshavn to my residence in Denmark It’s three days of my vacation,” he explains with a weary smile that’s because my wife died last year.” I asked how the trip compares to when he used to travel with her “In about an hour or two I want to have a drink,” he looked at his watch confirming his evening plans were set in stone Birnir and his girlfriend celebrated their second consecutive win in the pub quiz so I needed to get back to Iceland to sell it.”  The couple had taken a quick ferry from Norway to Denmark and were continuing their journey from there “I love it — it’s like travelling 20 years in time,” they shared their impressions of the trip the couple tasted a few of the Faroese beers available on board “We wanted to try out the fancy restaurant tonight and get some steaks so now we’re just just getting something else.”  was travelling all the way to Seyðisfjörður without a car “I’ve been travelling for three weeks now across Europe.” “Is it the hull slicing through the waves Or could it be the sound of someone slowly losing their mind?” Philipp admitted that the ferry seemed like better value for money I’m travelling with quite a lot of baggage — a big backpack and a small one.” Philipp had booked a bed in the couchette section on the ferry which cost him around EUR 250 why not check out the ferry and have some nice experience out of it?” but I’m the only one in there,” he continued this is the third ship I’ve taken on my trip and so far every single one has been the same — empty because no one wants to travel in winter.” as he reminisced about his previous ferry crossings from Gdansk to Stockholm and from Gothenburg to Frederikshavn “I’ve paid for the minimum amount that you can get on the ship and got my own room,” he said proudly he got a ticket with a buffet breakfast included “I’ve brought food for everything else I eat something else that I brought,” he explained “I think this is the longest I’d ever take a ship.” His days have been filled with reading “I thought about taking a ship to the United States one day you’ve seen everything and the waves are going to be even worse it’s much more expensive — every day on a ship you spend between 50 and 100 EUR.” I spotted a familiar face — Faroese-Icelandic musician ASA whom I’d encountered just a month earlier at Skrapt Festival in Tórshavn was performing a cover at one of Norræna’s bars the waves too high to keep her seated on a tall stool Ása Helena Brynjarsdóttir is a house musician on board having been recommended to join the ferry’s entertainment lineup she’d been spending a few weeks per year cruising between the three countries “I’m quite crafty with time,” Ása said when I asked if it ever gets boring asked to borrow Ása’s guitar and played a few songs the last being Fleetwood Mac’s legendary “Landslide.” One of the passengers in the audience watched him in awe I set about testing every amenity this floating entertainment complex has to offer I met two Faroese women returning home after visiting their children in Jutland The pool was closed — something about excessive water splashing around during rough seas I was later told The hot tubs promised romance under the stars but delivered something closer to endurance training shivering in tepid water while wearing a hat for 15 long minutes The onboard cinema tried its best with a new Beetlejuice screening but the combination of swaying screen and rolling waves sent me stumbling in search of solid ground (or whatever passes for it in the middle of the ocean) Perhaps all of this would have been more enjoyable in the summer The unspoken intensity of ferry bingo caught me off guard I considered joining — how complicated could bingo be Then I saw them: a room full of grey-haired Faroese warriors armed with something called “bingo daubers” (a term I now know thanks to Google) — special highlighters designed to save time once a number is called These folks weren’t just playing — they seemed to have strategy The most impressive were the multitaskers — knitting at what can only be described as Olympic speed while maintaining full bingo alertness like watching a craft circle that’s somehow morphed into a high stakes gambling ring I returned to Norræna’s pub quizzes — a fun escape from the monotony of sea life with most passengers tucked away in their cabins but the moment the “pub quiz” announcement crackled over the PA system groups of friends and even the bartender would gather along with those who’d claim “I’m not really playing” while shouting out answers to prove their mettle Questions appeared on the screen in a multilingual display of Faroese while our quiz host asked everything from “Which iconic rock band released The Dark Side of the Moon in 1973?” to “Where was Freddie Mercury born?” and “How many F1 titles does Lewis Hamilton have?” It took me back to my student days when cheap beer and trivia nights were our go-to entertainment I even managed to snag third place and win a drink — some random Faroese pilsner “The unspoken intensity of ferry bingo caught me off guard.” imagining I’d spend all my time disconnected from the world reading walking up and down the ship’s various decks to keep my step count up and journalling while gazing out at the endless blue horizon Reality proved that reading on board made me desperately dizzy and even walking became uncomfortable — every step required gripping the nearest handrail or banister the vessel transformed more and more into a cacophony of rattling dinnerware I watched helplessly as an elderly passenger lost his footing his buffet plate flying off with a splash of impromptu Pollock The Christmas tree on the top deck couldn’t quite hold its ground either eventually succumbing to the whims of the North Atlantic One particular bunch aboard were the “Faroese accordion players,” though most called them “harmonica players” thanks to the Danish/Faroese word harmonika It felt like stumbling upon a secret club I had no idea existed “130 passengers on this trip are a Faroese group,” bartender Fie told me one evening “They have the other bar for themselves,” she added with a sigh of relief “I had some rough times with various people when I was new here because I didn’t know anything about the language it doesn’t really have to be all about them People didn’t want to be served by me because I didn’t really get the first word they were saying I thought that’s just so rude,” Fie confessed “They bring lots of musicians with them,” she continued I decided to check out the notorious other bar quickly realising that blending in wasn’t going to happen elderly Faroese belting out songs to a band of accordion and guitar players Someone handed me a brochure with lyrics to follow along but any attempt to strike up a conversation between their spirited singing and enthusiastic clapping proved unsuccessful “This is what you might call a theme trip for the Faroese,” cruise host Kristian later explained but I’ve been told there’s an unusually high number of musicians in the Faroe Islands compared to the population “We’d recently had a board game cruise and sometimes we do a crime cruise — true crime mystery-solving and all that.” slower and more deliberate than life on land Your existence begins to revolve around meal times — a lesson I learned the hard way when I showed up past 10:00 for breakfast only to find locked doors The handful of restaurants and cafes operated on strict schedules due to the low season while the small duty-free shop offered little consolation I found myself dreaming of a simple cup of instant noodles My ferry routine evolved into hours of ocean-watching observing how the waters transformed with the weather — from bright marine blue as we left Denmark to an ominous grey as we battled through rain and wind further north Even the smallest changes on the horizon brought excitement be it the stark silhouettes of UK oil rigs piercing the endless blue At around 15:00 ship time on Monday (Norræna runs on Faroese time) the Shetland Islands — Scotland’s northernmost archipelago — came into view Despite the wind nearly slamming the door in my face snow-covered islands breaking the monotony of sea and sky painting pink streaks across the sunset sky It felt like just a moment passed since the islands appeared on the horizon before they had vanished again and I wondered how many sailors in times of yore passed by unknown lands without the chance to dock “I think we will hurry up to Iceland,” Captain Petur av Vollanum told me as we met on the bridge It’s been 13 years since he became the captain of Norræna but his seafaring career began much earlier Starting as a young boy training to be a fisherman sailing as a mate and skipper before becoming a Maersk captain on what was at that time the largest container ship in the world When I asked what drew him to a life at sea I normally spend four weeks here and then have four weeks off — so Weather dictates everything aboard Norræna “We have to plan everything around the weather — either we are ahead of the weather or behind the weather,” he said showing me navigation equipment that predicts not just weather patterns but wave heights He recalled the weather from just last week to imprint just how serious it could be We waited almost 24 hours outside the fjord in Seyðisfjörður with the wind speeds hitting 56 metres per second It can be very dangerous — the high mountains make it hard to predict when a windcast is coming and sometimes it comes from the side The ship operates with four rotating navigators — the captain and three mates The captain’s job isn’t to steer the wheel 24/7 — similar to airplanes between the islands and all that,” Petur explains The rest of the day is typically spent on the bridge where he’s in charge of charting the course and overseeing the voyage plan The seasonal pause in Norræna’s Iceland routes “It’s not very popular with passengers and the cargo is also very limited “We have other cargo ships sailing to Iceland “Want to see how I wash windows?” he asked suddenly a boyish grin spreading across his weathered face The panoramic bridge window cleaner brought out the child in both of us — though I’m still not sure who was more amused by the demonstration the captain had announced a new schedule — we’d arrive in Tórshavn at 6:00 and depart by 8:00 leaving just an hour to venture onto land instead of the promised four Though disappointed by the brevity of the visit I managed to walk around the snow-dusted harbour of this tiny capital at dawn watching cargo trucks roll one by one from the ship’s belly Most of the ship’s passengers disembarked at Tórshavn likely heading to the comfort of their beds within 15 minutes or so I said my goodbyes to musician Ása and some of the friendly Faroese crew members who were being replaced by an equally welcoming bunch for the onward journey While the ship lingered in Tórshavn’s harbour I finally managed to fall into a proper sleep missing much of the view as Captain Petur manoeuvred between narrow mountains and fjords I saw no more than five during the day — most of them lounging on the comfy couches of Deck 10 German traveller Philipp listened to my advice for hitchhiking a ride to Reykjavík and came to boast that while in the sauna he scored a lift from someone returning from a business trip in mainland Europe the ship rocked as waves climbed between six and eight metres high Everyone reassured me this was as bad as it gets but cruise host Kristian casually mentioned he’d once sailed through 12-metre waves when passengers were ordered to stay in bed “Though disappointed by the brevity of the visit watching cargo trucks roll one by one from the ship’s belly.” glass clinking and rattling as it surged forward and back I had my last dinner alone at Nóatún bistro as the almost empty vessel made its way to Seyðisfjörður Captain Petur kept his promise and we arrived in Iceland nearly seven hours ahead of schedule I heard that the customs officers had driven all the way from Reykjavík which explained why we weren’t allowed to disembark until the morning I caught some of them looking at me with a raised brow wondering why I hadn’t just flown home to Reykjavík the picturesque East coast town was buried by a snowstorm and though my journey home wasn’t quite finished I remembered something a fellow passenger had said the night before finishing his beer as the bar was closing: “You don’t go to Iceland unless you have to.” But like every other fool I met on this ferry Trip provided by Smyril Line. Book your ferry crossing at: smyril-line.com Tourist Held Hostage On May Day Culture Night Killer Sentenced To Prison Tourist Sexually Harassed In Blue Lagoon Starbucks To Open In Reykjavík Soon An Ode to Flateyri Grapevine Events: The Clock, Other-Grounds Film Festival, Icelandic Sorcery Festival & More Police Officers Spied On Citizens For Iceland’s Richest Man From Army Brats To Luxury Flats ProcessingNorway's Sekkingstad forms salmon supply joint venture targeting European marketThe joint venture will process salmon to meet growing demand in European markets email editor email editor by | Feb 26, 2025 | Business Features, Danish Fishing Industry Link Aurora delivers Scottish mackerel to Danish processor The BIP Centre in the Danish Port of Hirtshals has provided the gateway for a first shipment of Scottish mackerel to a processor in Denmark and this positive experience has demonstrated the seamless flow of goods through the port This is the first time that Peterhead company Northbay Pelagic has shipped processed mackerel to a customer in this way through Hirtshals Sæby Fish Canners is a well established processor in the north of Denmark with production for both local consumption and for outlets across Europe and they partnered with North Atlantic Shipping to bring this first shipment of 370 tonnes of bulk frozen mackerel to the BIP Centre in Hirtshals “We can expect changes in the way we receive fish in the future along with national and regional legislation make it likely that more frozen fish will arrive at Danish quays in the future,“ said Sæby Fish Canners CEO Claus Christensen “When receiving fish from our partners in Scotland we are fortunate to work with trusted companies like North Atlantic Shipping at the Port of Hirtshals Mv “Link Aurora” docked in Hirtshals in early February with its load of HGT (headed The shipment was handled at the BIP Centre it has more than 2400 square metres of frozen and chilled storage space “This shows us that the Port of Hirtshals operates flawlessly when handling frozen fish from Scotland to Denmark it would not be possible to receive cargo from the UK post-Brexit All the necessary facilities are in place to ensure an efficient operation minimising port stay for the reefer vessel – a crucial factor as these vessels don’t generate revenue while berthed,” said Jens Skjødt Petersen at North Atlantic Shipping “This collaboration between Northbay Pelagic in Scotland We began unloading at 0700 and completed the process by 1130 I assume that the CO₂ footprint for this shipment is significantly lower by sea compared to transportation via road from Scotland to Denmark.” Mackerel from Scotland being unloaded from the Link Aurora The fish were stored in the BIP Centre’s frozen facility for just a couple of days as Sæby Fish Canners opted to collect the cargo quickly The next shipment is expected to arrive later this year with approximately 500 tonnes of mackerel from Scotland for Danish processors with the BIP Centre providing the essential link in the chain to make this possible “Lineage is proud to operate the BIP centre at the Port of Hirtshals the designated entry point for all non-EU imports of fish and other frozen goods and the only facility on the Danish west coast able to handle large volumes of goods while also accommodating containers,” said Lineage General Manager Morten Jensen commenting that the Port of Hirtshals and the companies operating within it look forward to more shipments from across the North Sea inspections by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration strengthening import opportunities at the Port of Hirtshals.” Disclaimer +353(0)83 826 8406 (editor) +353(0)83 826 8406 (sales) [email protected] [email protected] If you have a fishing news related story call or WhatsApp Oliver on +353 83 826 8406 or email [email protected] Copyright © 2020 – 2025 The Fishing Daily COMHLACHT CUMARSÁIDE AN tSÁILE TEORANTA (Saltwater Media Company Ltd)Registered Office: No IRL VAT No: IE3718993GH            IRL Company Reg No: 681474Sitemap | Terms & Conditions by | Feb 25, 2025 | Business Features, Danish Fishing Industry Port of Hirtshals sees record fish landings in 2024 The Port of Hirtshals has seen a remarkable rise in fish landings in 2024 with the total value reaching DKK 496 million ($71 million / €66.5 million / £56.8 million) marking the highest landing value in five years The surge in fish landings is largely driven by higher mackerel volumes and strong market prices for key species Danish vessels landed nearly 3,000 tonnes of mackerel at the port valued at approximately DKK 50 million ($7.2 million / €6.7 million / £5.7 million) a sharp contrast to minimal landings in 2023 the Port of Hirtshals plays a vital role in the seafood industry supporting a large network of fish processors and exporters Head of Fishery & Maritime Services at the Port of Hirtshals highlighted the positive impact on the industry: “The increase in landing value is a major boost for businesses and fishers at the port There is a strong sense of optimism for the coming year.” The growth in fishing activity comes alongside a broader recovery in port traffic following several years of disruption due to COVID-19 To sustain growth in fishing and transport operations the Port of Hirtshals is continuing with its Expansion North project Port CEO Per Holm Nørgaard emphasized the importance of the expansion: “With ferry operators introducing larger vessels in the coming years we are working hard to ensure the port has the capacity to handle increased traffic and fishing activity.” the Port of Hirtshals is on a growth trajectory The fishing sector’s success in 2024 is expected to drive further investment and sustainability initiatives reinforcing the port’s status as a key hub for Denmark’s seafood industry [email protected] [email protected] If you have a fishing news related story call or WhatsApp Oliver on +353 83 826 8406 or email [email protected] A consortium of Scandinavia companies is launching an effort to establish a Danish hub for the export of CO2 produced while manufacturing biogas as part of a pioneering project for the storage of CO2 using wells reaching the sandstone below the seafloor The Greenport Scandinavia project is designed to support the CCS Project Greensand which received its license this week as Denmark’s first carbon storage program The project is preparing for a pilot program of injections of CO2 for storage by early 2023 and expects to be operating at scale by 2025 Under the agreement announced at the beginning of December seven companies including those involved in the production of biogas will participate in the project for the transport and storage of biogenic CO2 in North Jutland The partners will initially transport retained CO2 from local biogas plants to the port of Hirtshals in northern Denmark from where it is shipped out for storage in empty oil fields in the North Sea as part of the CCS Project Greensand The collaboration also involves investigating the possibilities for establishing Europe's largest CO2 hub at the port of Hirtshals Among the elements that will be investigated is the possibility of establishing the necessary infrastructure in the form of pipelines for the transport of CO2 from Denmark and other parts of Europe to Hirtshals “We are already working purposefully with plans for the expansion of the port of Hirtshals the storage and shipping of CO2 to the North Sea fits perfectly into our strategy,” said Per Holm Nørgaard the establishment of a CO2 hub in Hirtshals can contribute to solving the climate challenges and we see great potential in the cooperation we have entered with the other partners.” which is reported to be the first of its kind in Denmark also has the potential to achieve negative emissions across the broader CCS value chain The companies point out they would be capturing the CO2 during the production of biogas made in part from liquid manure from livestock farms reducing emissions and resulting in a product that also lowers emissions for shipping and other industries plan to establish temporary storage facilities at the port of Hirtshals This would enable shipping to the North Sea the goal is to capture up to 100,000 tons of biogenic CO2 annually from North Jutland biogas plants as early as 2024/2025 The CO2 will be transported to the port of Hirtshals and by ship to the Siri area in the Danish part of the North Sea where it is stored in empty oil fields through the Greensand project they plan to extend the storage area to provide a capacity of 1.5 million tons of CO2 annually The CO2 will be transported on special ships to the former offshore oil field in the Danish part of the North Sea Starting in 2030 they expect to have the capacity to handle 8 million tons of CO2 per year The liquid CO2 will be sent down into the sandstone reservoir more than one mile underground via CO2 wells EU tender has just been announced for the Port of Hirtshals’ largest expansion program in its 100-year history with a total budget of around DKK 1 billion ($146.8 million) Hirtshals is a town and seaport on the coast of Skagerrak on the island of Vendsyssel-Thy at the top of the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark This capital expansion aims to significantly improve the navigation conditions and optimize the port’s facilities allowing even more space for green energy projects the port is set to be expanded partly to improve the navigation conditions allowing larger ships to dock at the port in harsher weather conditions than is currently the case we take yet another significant step towards realizing the port expansion “It once again emphasizes the substantial development of Port of Hirtshals which is intended to support the port’s crucial role as a central traffic hub between Norway and Europe and as a key player in the green transition where both the port’s facilities and navigational conditions will be crucial for the green transformation.“ The tender is decided based on an assessment of the best balance between price and quality Port of Hirtshals will submit the final bid for approval to the Hjørring City Council no later than the fall of 2024 Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox Sanmar Shipyards has delivered a new harbor tug to the Port of Hirtshals in Denmark where it will primarily assist increasingly large ferries to and from the quay in the port’s often notoriously windy conditions Formerly part of Sanmar’s own fleet operating at Izmit Bay in Türkiye the 2019-built tug Yeniçay X has been renamed Sibba by its new owners It replaces the port’s previous tug which was built in 1979 and has served at Hirtshals since 2005 Based on the RAscal 1800 design from Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd developed to address the challenges of modern It is powered by two Caterpillar C32 main engines each producing 970 kW at 1.800 rev/min to achieve a bollard pull of 32 tons and a speed ahead of 12 knots “The port’s old tug was not strong enough to cope with the larger ferries now using the port and that this would become more of an issue in future as the port expanded.” Master Mariner and Fleet Manager at Hirtshals “We have scoured the market over the past two years We are convinced that with SIBBA we have found a tug that suits our needs both today and in the future.” He also noted that Sibba’s engines met far stricter environmental requirements than its predecessor “I am delighted that the Port of Hirtshals has found the tug that provides the power strength and performance it requires to meet its individual needs Sibba is one of a proven workhorse range of tugs that can take adverse weather conditions in their stride.” designed for maximum efficiency in the performance of ship-handling duties for seagoing vessels based on a wide array of previous successful tug designs The vessel is equipped with heavy duty deck equipment and all-round fendering for all ship-handling operations On April 30, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) together with several original co-sponsors reintroduced the SHIPS for America Act in the U.S The offshore rig market recovery appears to have taken a pause with demand tapering off and marketed utilization hitting… Argentina's Southern Energy Project said on Friday it has agreed with Golar LNG a contract for a second liquefaction vessel… a 170-year-old French family-owned company operating across a broad swath of maritime and offshore energy… we excel in creating stunning illuminated yacht names and logos and cutting-edge LED and fiber optic solutions Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service delivered to your Email five times per week by | Nov 11, 2024 | Business Features, Latest News Hirtshals ready for more fishing vessels like the the trawler ‘Nokasa‘ which is now being overhauled got new owner Royal Greenland Seafood The news that Hirtshals Yard is closing and their floating dock is disappearing has led many to wonder whether this marks the end of Hirtshals as an important service centre for fishing vessels I can only say that we are moving forward at full speed,” says Per Christiansen Forty businesses within Hirtshals Service Group are ready to provide services related to ship maintenance and repair They are guarantees that Hirtshals remains an attractive choice for fishing vessel owners from much of Norway and other countries in the North Sea region Christensen points out that the maritime businesses in Hirtshals have faced challenges before There is little to suggest this will not be the case now as the port is bustling with activity and many Norwegian fishing vessels are currently undergoing work At the quay lies the 45-metre long and 12-metre-wide trawler Nokasa It has just been purchased by Royal Greenland from Nordfjord Havfiske in Båtsfjord After upgrades and modifications in Hirtshals the vessel will be used for shrimp trawling in Diskobugten off Greenland before “Nokasa” returns to fishing it will undergo a comprehensive overhaul including engine and cooling system servicing Vestkajens Maskinværksted is the main contractor for Royal Greenland and will carry out the work alongside many other local service providers The work on “Nokasa” exemplifies how the members of Hirtshals Service Group collaborate effectively to address tasks the 39-meter trawler “Piraja” has just had its shaft drawn as part of a five-year class inspection and a smaller Norwegian trawler from Karmøy was alongside for a few hours to have its battery changed within an hour in the morning there is also the supply vessel “Haltbakk Star” which has now been converted into a tanker for the transport of bunker fuel and other oil products The 70-metre-long ship hails from Kristiansund and is currently having its engines overhauled by EnTech Marine one of several companies specialising in engines Hirtshals Service Group consists of a number of dedicated companies with professionals united by a common focus on delivering effective and flexible high-quality solutions to the fishing fleet and other vessels from Norway It would be dishonest to say that the town has not been affected by the recent news of Hirtshals Yard’s closure and that the port has scaled down a planned expansion the message to fishing vessel owners is: do not be misled Hirtshals still offers many service companies with strong expertise enabling fishing vessel owners to find reliable quality-conscious services and workshop options in Hirtshals Hirtshals Service Group is an association of around forty experienced maritime businesses They are ready to deliver everything from specialised ship electronics and engine services to surface treatments They welcome more fishing vessel owners to the northern harbour town Many shipowners from Southern Norway utilise the services available in Hirtshals Some also deliver fish to the auction where they generally receive better prices than in Norway They also take the opportunity to refuel with reasonably priced diesel currently costing just under eight Norwegian kroner per litre “The businesses in Hirtshals have a unique collaboration and the proximity to many European suppliers means that many jobs can be completed very quickly A large part of the Norwegian fishing fleet has preferred to have their vessels repaired with us for many years,” says Per Christensen and a seismic vessel has been converted into a snow crab fishing boat Both projects have been carried out for shipowners in Northern Norway The quay often hosts purseseiners and pelagic trawlers from places such as Shetland Ireland and Norway for repairs and maintenance “We also have Spanish vessels visiting Hirtshals seeking our expertise Our strong tradition of collaboration means that customers experience a smooth process where we handle all necessary tasks and ensure an efficient overall solution,” says The collaboration between the local companies means that customers have one point of contact in the company that is the main contractor for a job Many years of cooperative experience among the businesses in Hirtshals Service Group ensure that complex repairs and maintenance tasks are resolved quickly and efficiently Another advantage of Hirtshals is the excellent access to quay areas The maritime businesses in Hirtshals are equipped to deliver effective and flexible solutions to vessels of all types and have a reputation for reliability “We know that quality and adherence to deadlines are crucial for our customers These are the values we have always worked for no matter what else happens around us,” emphasises Per Christensen Per Christensen says that the future of Hirtshals is secure The approximately 40 member companies in Hirtshals Service Group ensure that both large and small vessels have access to a comprehensive range of services which together make Hirtshals an attractive choice for ship owners from large parts of Northern Europe · Engine and machinery service: Local experts provide complete solutions for engine maintenance and repair including installation and servicing of both traditional and hybrid engines · Ship electronics and navigation: Companies with specialist knowledge in ship electronics offer service and troubleshooting for navigation systems · Surface treatment and corrosion protection: Competent craftsmen carry out all types of surface treatment which extends the lifespan of vessels in the harsh marine environment and shaft alignment ensure that vessels sail steadily and safely Their precise work guarantees operational reliability and reduces wear and tear on the vessels · Hydraulics and pneumatics: Maintenance and troubleshooting of hydraulic and pneumatic systems are a core competence in Hirtshals ensuring reliable operation of everything from cranes to trawl equipment · Refrigeration and electrical installations: Specialists in refrigeration and electrical systems offer everything from installation to maintenance and repair of refrigeration and freezing systems as well as electrical installations on board This service is particularly important for fishing vessels and other ships that transport food and supplies requiring precise temperature control · Net and trawl service: Specialised net service providers in Hirtshals offer production and optimisation of trawl and net equipment for the fishing fleet Everything from net repair to installation of trawl gear provides fishermen with durable and reliable solutions that maximise catch rates and ensure effective operations during fishing · Shipping and stevedoring: Hirtshals Service Group offers professional shipping and stevedoring services in the form of loading these services ensure that freight and supplies can be quickly delivered to and from vessels · Provisions and supplies: Hirtshals Service Group offers comprehensive provisioning services ensuring that vessels and their crews receive quick and efficient delivery of food [email protected] [email protected] If you have a fishing news related story call or WhatsApp Oliver on +353 83 826 8406 or email [email protected] The first stop on Kevin Rushby’s summer tour of Scandinavia is Denmark Tucked into the dunes on the northern tip of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula is a tiny house of wind-worn clapboard There’s a coffee table constructed of old beer crates a yard of books on the shelf and a well-trodden footpath to a vast sandy beach Everything from the coffee grinder to the hammock seems well-made and dependable I throw myself into a chair next to a neat stack of precisely cut firewood Most British summer holidays abroad involve the Med but I reckon the cooler attractions of the north need to be sampled but I’m hoping large doses of self-catering and camping will help on my five-week mission to discover the essence of the perfect Scandinavian summer I’ll also be relying on the concept of naturens skafferi (nature’s larder) the laudable idea that the great outdoors is a pantry for everyone The country is a wonderful detox opportunity for the capitalism-​​worn BritMy cabin combines all that’s best about the region: comfort The British relationship with Scandinavia is not complex better-looking and write better crime novels we can always claim a bit of shared ancestry Many of the quiet Danish villages I had passed through on the train to Hirtshals had names that would fit seamlessly into the Lincolnshire or Yorkshire Wolds In fact this rolling rural landscape dotted with woodland is not dissimilar I’d wondered: what if the Vikings had persisted a little longer with their civilising ventures into Britain would London have the unhurried cool of Copenhagen and might there be no need for Luton at all On my first day I wander along the massive west-facing beach towards Hirtshals The great sweep of sand is dotted with driftwood and shells It’s one of those big bracing strands where you either find a suntrap in the dunes to get out of the wind The waves are substantial and sprinkled with eider ducks apparently not minding the breakers at all The busy harbour at Hirtshals Photograph: OttoKruse/Getty ImagesAt first sight Hirtshals is a tough little fishing port with few obvious attractions The harbour is full of busy boats and there is a wonderful chandlery its cafe furnished with tables and chairs made from crates and driftwood but the Hirtshals speciality is stjerneskud which means shooting star: the dish was apparently invented to mark the visit of Yuri Gagarin to Copenhagen in 1962 a year after he became the first man in space but this one is a spectacular assemblage of cod I wash it down with hyldeblomst saft (elderflower cordial) Danish cuisine has been criticised for over-reliance on dairy products and sugar (not by me) As for the sky-high prices: eating out is a little more expensive than in the UK but I know I can bring overall costs down with canny supermarket shopping and days of self-catering a sprightly 96-year-old local who drives a Jaguar and sports a nifty waistcoat and neckerchief “but no wind.” I think the latter is a special request among the people of Hirtshals Johannes recommends going to the museum to get the flavour of the town should be taken quite literally: the museum appears to double as a distillery and off-licence making and selling various types of a “heritage” drink called bjesk Kevin’s wooden cabin collecting old recipes and inventing new ones using local herbs and flowers “They say she had a syringe in one pocket and bjesk bottle in the other and it was the bjesk that got people better more often.” The country is a wonderful detox opportunity for the capitalism-worn Brit the country’s most successful export of recent years has been the much-hyped concept of hygge which seems to involve wearing hand-knitted socks while drinking homemade alcohol and eating homebaked cake by the light of candles with family or friends – and not those met on Tinder he says simply: “It’s a sense of wellbeing What does he think about the recent international interest In my cabin that evening I test the hygge potential No: just a few squares of left-over chocolate as though the Norse gods had heard Johannes and felt obliged to taunt him Denmark is regularly listed as the happiest country in the world Cynics might point out it also has the highest per capita consumption of antidepressants but the survey includes factors such as income Smørrebrød that there is more to it than those cold statistical measurements when I get on a bicycle and try to follow a cycle path sparingly positioned at the most key points I’m expected to be observant and to use a map and some common sense when I go to the station to ask about trains The assistant smiles indulgently: “There is no food or drink sold on Danish trains.” I’m astonished where the arrival of the refreshments trolley is more reliable than the actual train itself “People take their own smørrebrød,” says the assistant “Or they wait until they reach their destination.” I leave my Jutland cabin eager to discover more only one departures board and one sign pointing to the correct platform I’ve even got a smørrebrød in my bag – admittedly from Lidl The Scandinavian summer magic is beginning to work Welcome to portstrategy.com. This site uses cookies. Read our policy webinars and articles on innovations and current trends in the ports and terminals industry Alternatively REGISTER for website access and sign up for email alerts Denmark’s Port of Hirtshals is one step closer to the realisation of its largest expansion in its 100-year history with an EU tender of around DKK 1 billion The port expansion aims to significantly improve the navigation conditions and optimise the port’s facilities while allowing even more space for green energy projects Want to read more before deciding on a subscription It only takes a minute to sign up for a free account and you’ll get to enjoy: Get more free content sign up today Ready to subscribe? Choose from one of our subscription packages for unlimited access Site powered by Webvision Cloud Nordic News and Business Promotion in Asia After a long journey from the Philippines and a year’s delay, Fjord Line’s new catamaran has finally arrived at Hirtshals Harbor in Denmark which is a state-of-the-art and high-tech ship is primarily designed for fast transport of goods as well as cars and passengers between Denmark and Norway which back in 2017 was given the task of building the ship Construction started in the spring of 2018 at the company’s shipyard in the Philippines and Fjord FSTR was launched in February 2020 the ship should have been put into operation Fjord Line’s crew of 11 people could finally set course for Hirtshals after a 1 year delay and after a 5 week-long journey across three oceans through 11 time zones and an involuntary break at the Suez Canal Fjord FSTR could finally dock in Hirtshals Sunday According to Hirtshals Havn Chairman of the Board at the Port of Hirtshals says “Even though it is a year later than expected we are happy to finally be able to welcome Fjord FSTR to Hirtshals The new catamaran will undoubtedly contribute to making the transport of both passengers and goods via Hirtshals even more attractive in the future.” and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Rohde Nielsen has just released this beautiful photo of their split hopper dredger Balder R during her work in Hirtshals “Balder R is a significant asset in our fleet and plays an essential role in our dredging projects whether it is nearshore or offshore,” said the company the Balder R has a hydrodynamic design with the latest environmental technology which gives a fuel reduction of 20% and ensures that the vessel fulfills and exceeds the latest regulatory and industry standards A highly advanced Dynamic Positioning system enables extremely precise maneuverability Karstensens Shipyard has delivered the new 89.35 metre purser/trawler RUTH to owner Gullak Madsen of Hirtshals Newbuilding 453 “RUTH” was handed over to owner Gullak Madsen of Hirtshals Denmark on 17 September 2021 from Karstensen Shipyard The hull for “RUTH” was built by Karstensen Shipyard Poland in Gdynia New RUTH replaces Gullak Madsen’s previous vessel of same name which is now operated by new owners Halstensen in Norway as “Slaatterøy” specification and arrangements is a result of an extensive and close cooperation between owners and yard where all solutions are optimized and tailor made to suit Gullak Madsen and his crews specific requirements Main focus has been set on optimizing working optimizing catch handling- and storage facilities and optimizing of fuel consumption the vessel is fitted out with all the newest machinery and equipment The new 89.35M metre RUTH built by Karstensens Shipyard The hull is built in steel with two continuous decks; main deck and shelter deck Hull shape of round bilge construction with bulbous bow and stern skeg vertical wave-piercer stem and transom stern Below main deck the hull is subdivided into the following watertight compartments: Forepeak insulated RSW-tank section with 16 tanks and central RSW pump- and manifold room engine room with main engine connected to reduction gearbox with one ducted propeller and aftpeak with fuel- and lub oil tanks On main deck the hull is arranged with: Forepeak RSW-hold/trunk section with central corridors forward containing vacuum tank room and midship RSW-machinery room side-to-side trawl stores (2) and all aft hydraulic room with steering gear and SB engine store trim room with wellness and stairs and corridors In order to create best possible design for low noise the accommodation is located as far away from the propeller as possible In addition a number of constructive steps were made During trails noise measurements showed levels well below any requirements and recommendations On shelter deck arrangement is: Upper forepeak workshop/welding cabin and central vacuum compressor room with centre deck house with water separator and hatches for the 16 RSW-tanks Water separator is built in aluminium with SS loading pipe to each tank Accommodation in superstructure with: oil skins room PS of superstructure contains small workshop and entrance to stairs down Abaft superstructure trawl deck with 2 net drums side-by-side and a third netdrum PS in waterfall design At transom 2 hydraulic stern gates and hydraulic operated guiding pins forepeak stores (3) and forecastle stores (4) roll reduction tanks and pursing deck with 2 purse winches CL/PS Aft purse gallow and nethauler are mounted midship SB Also on boat deck 01 level main foredeck crane and SB fish pump crane all with en-suite toilet/shower facilities hospital instrument room and stairways and corridors Integrated in aft ship construction and boat deck 01 is also trawl gallow which accommodates 2 main towing blocks as well as tail-end block 2 off net sounder winches are fitted on top of gallow with mooring drums in dedicated house are fitted deck house with ventilation room and accommodation are mounted galley with provision room (and separate fridge-/freezer rooms) and stairways and corridors PS fan room for ventilation for engine rooms and hydraulic pump room instrument room and stairways and corridors Length overall ………… Breadth moulded ……… 17,00 m Depth main deck ………… 6,90 m Scantling draught ……… 8,50 m Frame spacing ………… 600 mm Hull: – built by Karstensen Shipyard Poland Search light: 1 x Searchmaster (electric GPS controlled) 2 x Polarlight (electric remote controlled) Power management: Deif Delomatic 4 PMS system Vessel is fitted with frequency converter for floating frequencies between 50 and 60 Hz Alarm panel: Marine Control Services (MCS) Extensive array of electronic equipment (navigation Design principles for main engine / auxiliary arrangement are as follows: Vessel is fitted with a 5400 kW main engine Shaft alternator of 2700 kW is fitted to gearbox PTO the vessel is fitted with 3 auxiliary engines / gen-sets each producing 1002 kWe as well as a harbour gen-set of 538 kW giving propulsion power as well as electrical power (through the shaft alternator) again giving propulsion power as well as electrical power (through the shaft alternators) All electrical power systems are controlled by the vessels DEIF Power-Management-System Further on bus-bar breaker is fitted in main switchboard allowing aft thrusters to be fed off shaft alternator and forward thruster and vessels hotel load off the diesel generator set Electrical power system is fitted for sliding frequency (60-50 Hz) by means of frequency converters for 400/440 V and UPS clean power static supply/converter for 230 V This will allow main engine and propeller rpm to be reduced with 17% Reduction gearbox: Scana Volda ACG980/PF680 Steering gear: Kongsberg Tenfjord SR 723 – 412 kNm Azimuth thruster: 1 x Brunvoll AR80 LTC2100 Starting air compr.: 2 x Atlas Copco LT15-30 KE Fuel oil cleaning: Green Oil Standard filter Lub oil cleaning: Green Oil Standard filter Box coolers: GEA Bloksma (all engines and main components are FW cooled) Electric winches: – all supplied by Ibercisa Fish pumping: – all supplied by MacGregor Rapp Purse handling: – all supplied by MacGregor Triplex,: Deck cranes: – all supplied by MacGregor Triplex HP hydraulics: Complete drive system for cranes: RSW-system: 2 x Johnson Controls (York/Sabroe) 1 x Johnson Controls maintenance compressor RSW circulation system with remote operated RSW-valves through Johnson Controls control system Paint supplier: PPG Sigma – vessel completely sandblasted and hot-zinc sprayed MOB-boat: Viking Norsafe Mako-655 waterjet The Fishing Daily would like to congratulate Gullak Madsen on his new fishing vessel and wish everyone good and safe fishing well into the future [email protected] [email protected] If you have a fishing news related story call or WhatsApp Oliver on +353 83 826 8406 or email [email protected] The flume tank has been upgraded continuously and stands today as a very versatile test facility. A recent installation of a modern 3D measuring video rig completes the setup, ideal for projects where an accurate real time measurement of the dynamics of a fish cage, trawl or trawldoor, or any other sub-sea  structures are needed. Net manufacturers and fishing companies from all over the world knows the flume tank and the value of the services. But the expertise housed also encompass services for other branches of marine industries:  test of sub-sea templates and pipelines for the  off-shore oil and gas industries, test of ROV's for inspection and surveillance etc. Furthermore, the flume tank is also very suitable for demonstration of equipment, as it allows for unique under-water view of its behaviour in currents, waves or combinations hereof. For this reason, manufacturers also invite costumers to the flume tank to illustrate their products in realistic conditions. The flume tank has seating for 60+ visitors. This also makes the facility highly valuable for training and course activities. Stay up to date with our latest research news Channel your inner Njord – the Viking god of seafaring – on this epic voyage from Denmark, writes Mark Stratton I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Smyril Line’s regular departures aboard the ferry MS Norröna to the Faroese capital of Tórshavn offer a North Atlantic voyage that is epic enough to gain a nod of approval from Njord – the Viking god of seafaring the journey would have taken just two hours and 15 minutes from Copenhagen Even with the carbon saving – my calculated footprint of 116kg of CO2 is around half the amount I would have produced had I flown – you might well be wondering why I would fritter away two precious days of holiday on a boat I’ve missed being at sea during the pandemic and the Norröna is a 10-deck ferry with all the trappings of a cruise ship My love affair with this civilised mode of transport reignites after a pre-boarding PCR test the results of which come through the first evening on board The ship has provision to isolate any positive-testing passengers (and not in life-rafts to be cast adrift) Travel journalists often bang on about the joys of “slow travel” but for me a sea voyage offers a measured unfolding appreciation of where I am heading It bears little comparison with the unsatisfying haste and stress of flying: those lengthy queues at check-in and security killing time by overspending on overpriced food you don’t really want and staring aghast at departure boards and wondering why your flight always seems to be delayed Travel by ferry and all of these emotional stresses dissipate And isn’t de-stressing a key part of why we choose to have holidays in the first place There’s a blazing sunset around midnight – or is it sunrise I love the anticipation and then first sight of my cabin: in this case en-suite and a large rectangular window and double bed filling the drawer space with my underwear and hanging up my shirts – unnecessary for just one night at sea rather than being strapped into an aircraft seat and contemplating if my neighbour has coronavirus potential entertainments and spaces on the top deck where I can enjoy ocean views without being blown overboard I also appreciate the chance to organise my day as I see fit when travelling by sea My skeletal template is three meals per day and an evening drink Never letting seasickness get in my way – hello Dramamine pills – I enjoy fashioning the sort of travelling experience that I want The former is nice but eye-wateringly expensive I have the space and facilities to sculpt my journey there’s a five-a-side football pitch and chips with everything in the cafeteria I begin my evening with five-course Faroese fine dining at the silver-service Munkastova Restaurant watching the Atlantic slip by with a crisp white the perfect accompaniment to scallops with walnuts and gooseberries I fancy a beer after dinner but the main bar heaves with Danish football fans and the beer is flying when their third goal (or was it fourth?) goes in past Wales Thus I gravitate to the open-air Laterna Magica bar for a dark Faroese stout and acoustic music There’s a blazing sunset around midnight – or is it sunrise It gilds the cloud bases gold and is best enjoyed from the seawater hot tub on the deck below The 18 islands’ existence is wedded to the water They live off the sea’s harvest and were for centuries accessed only by the boats of Vikings and madcap Irish priests I soak in this marriage of place and existence as we turn into Tórshavn Harbour inhaling the sea air and processing every crag entering the capital’s fjord more immigration queues and an overpriced taxi to a hotel that could be anywhere already feeling connected to my destination There’s a spring in my step – my footprint The ferry from Denmark to the Faroes costs from €80 (about £68) one-way; visit smyrilline.com. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"Mv Norrona at sea.jpg","description":"Mv Norrona at sea","caption":"Sunset, or maybe sunrise, on the MS Norröna Sunset, or maybe sunrise, on the MS Norröna Green hydrogen producer Norwegian Hydrogen in collaboration with a consortium of ten partners has launched a new project that aims to develop an integrated green hydrogen value chain at the Port of Hirtshals in Denmark Norwegian Hydrogen will be the coordinator of the so-called CONVEY project which will utilize renewable energy from local wind turbines to produce hydrogen to help decarbonize the operations in the port The project is expected to deliver at least 500 tonnes of green hydrogen annually It includes the construction of a 5 MW electrolyzer a large-scale refueling station for heavy-duty transport the project aims to make the Port of Hirtshals a model for green ports by focusing on its decarbonization and sustainable transformation By establishing a hydrogen closed-loop ecosystem it will showcase a sustainable energy system that integrates local renewable energy sources for hydrogen production and distribution Norwegian Hydrogen and its consortium partners have secured a €9 million grant from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership for the CONVEY project Norwegian Hydrogen will serve as the lead partner The other partners in the CONVEY consortium are Vireon Executive Director ad interim of Clean Hydrogen Partnership said: “With its strategic maritime location CONVEY is an iconic project which integrates local renewable electricity using the benefits of hydrogen to decarbonize logistics around the port and greening its local economy I am proud that CONVEY is now part of our family of Hydrogen Valleys constituting an important piece of the REPowerEU strategy to decarbonize industry transport and energy sectors across Europe.” commented on the project: “By leading the CONVEY project Norwegian Hydrogen is setting a benchmark for green hydrogen development in the Nordic region we aim to significantly contribute to the transition towards a low-carbon economy in the entire region reinforcing our commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship in the hydrogen sector.” Norwegian Hydrogen is establishing the production of green hydrogen throughout the Nordics and will soon start production at its facility in Hjørring The company is supported by a group of industrial owners, including Mitsui, & Co., Fortescue The Pioneers of Offshore Engineering GustoMSC part of NOV’s Marine and Construction business is recognized for providing advanced design & engineering consultancy for mobile offshore units and reliable equipment and technical knowledge into realistic & innovative ideas The performance of new and existing jack-ups BioMar has opened a state-of-the-art marine fish larval trial unit for both larval rearing and the production of live feed The new unit is located at the company’s Aquaculture Technology Centre (ATC) Hirtshals facility in Denmark and coincides with their 15th anniversary hatchery feed production The Danish company notes that they have recently streamlined their product portfolio and adopted new innovations and functional raw materials in the LARVIVA hatchery range The opening of the new facility is the second of a three-phased strategic plan for the segment – it follows on from last year’s establishment of a business unit in Nersac while the expansion of the fry feed production line in Brande Ole Christensen, VP of EMEA at BioMar said: “We see significant growth potential in the hatchery feed segment Our new research facilities will help us continue to evolve our larval feed range while allowing us to respond faster to market and customer needs” The ATC Hirtshals now houses 24 RAS larval rearing trial units all operating under strict controlled conditions The new system allows for fine-tuning protocols for larval rearing as well as the production of live feed including rotifers and Artemia The units offer complete control of factors including temperature photoperiod and light-intensity – allowing for strongly replicated trials and the ability to work on a range of marine species “The launch of the hatchery trial facility at our ATC Hirtshals is a significant boost to the BioMar hatchery business unit which will allow us to undertake in-house marine fish larvae feed trials We look forward to developing and bringing to the market new and exciting innovations in hatchery feeds,” concluded Christensen Color Line’s 34,200gt ferry SuperSpeed 2 ferry collided with a breakwater as she docked in Hirtshals on 27 May 2023 Color Line were forced to cancelled services between Larvik and Hirtshals in Denmark following the collision SuperSpeed 2 had to go to the dry docks in Denmark to have an assessment carried out on the dent in her hull which was sustained when it hit the breakwater ‘It will take a few days before the ship is in operation again,’ commented Erik Brynhildsbakken Color Line’s executive vice president for communications and public relations The immediate service from Hirtshals to Larvik was cancelled after the collision and subsequent departures were also cancelled The company advising customers wanting to travel from Denmark to Norway to instead take the SuperSpeed 1 ferry to Kristianstad SuperSpeed 1 and SuperSpeed 2 was ordered in 2005 by the Norwegian shipping company from Meyer Turku and were delivered between March and June 2008 Both ferries have since been operating between the Danish town of Hirtshals and the Norwegian ports of Kristiansand and Larvik SuperSpeed 1 and SuperSpeed 2 are high-speed ferries covering the route between Denmark and Norway in just 3 hours and 15 minutes Ships monthly is published every month and has a cover price of £4.99 commissioned Austal Philippines to build the 109-meter catamaran ferry which can accommodate 1,200 passengers and over 400 cars The launch of the vessel coincides with the 75th anniversary of Philippine-Denmark diplomatic relations Herrera-Lim conveyed that ”the delivery of the ship is a significant milestone as it is the first wholly constructed ship in the Philippines to carry passengers and cargoes in Denmark It also reflects the vibrant relations between our two countries.” The high-speed ferry will operate between Denmark and Norway. Substantial improvements were made on Fjord FSTR to enable passengers to have access to three different restaurants on board, a children’s area and a tax-free shop. The guests can also enjoy a café and a bistro while on board the ferry, according to Copenhagen Department of Foreign Affairs Fjord Line Project Manager Morten Larsen conveyed his appreciation to Ambassador Herrera-Lim and the personnel of the Embassy for supporting the project ScandAsia Journalist • Scandinavian Publishing Co. Mabuhay ang bansang Denmark !Mabuhay ang PILIPINAS Ipagpatuloy po ang makabuluhang partnership ng ating mga Bayan The move comes as salmon farmers face the increasing possibility of a no-deal Brexit and the likelihood of huge delays at cross-Channel ports but in this case Mowi said it was entirely about solving a problem of limited capacity at its Blar Mhor primary processing plant at Fort William We continue to work with our employees to create a long-term solution for fish processing in Scotland that will accommodate all our requirements and future growth.” which entailed salmon with an average weight of 5.2kg being harvested on to the ship and the primary processing being carried out on the journey to Denmark and the pickup of the salmon continued according to plan,” he told Fish Farming Expert’s sister site “After only 46 hours of sailing from the farms fresh salmon was delivered to the salmon terminal in Hirtshals harbour; the whole task was solved to the satisfaction of the farmer. Of course it has been exciting to pick up salmon in Scotland since we have so far only collected salmon in Norway and here we have worked up a certain routine “The first trip to Scotland has therefore been an important milestone in the development of the entire Hav Line concept “This is proof that the innovative Norwegian salmon concept - the Hav Line method - is so groundbreaking and sustainable that it can already prove its strength even outside Norway.” The delivery “contributes to the port of Hirtshals becoming the northern European hub for handling and distributing salmon” said Hirtshals harbour board chairman Anker Laden-Andersen “It is obvious to see the first voyage of Norwegian Gannet [to Scotland] from a Brexit perspective,” said Laden-Andersen.  there is a certain likelihood that the British will leave the EU on October 31 2019 without a deal - no Brexit agreement - and that will very likely mean that freight transport in the area around the English Channel will collapse.  the collection of salmon in western Scotland and delivery in Hirtshals is just proof that the innovative Norwegian salmon industry can find solutions to the upcoming challenge.  we as a port can only be satisfied that it has once again been proven that the unique location of Hirtshals port enables the most efficient transport solutions across the North Sea.” The Norwegian Gannet has caused controversy because it takes processing work away from coastal communities Processing of harvested salmon is done on board and fish are taken directly to Denmark for distribution rather than being processed ashore in Norway The vessel was unable to operate as planned because Norwegian Fisheries Minister Harald T Nesvik demanded that so-called production fish - fish with visible wounds malformations and similar – must be sorted in Norway Earlier this summer the Norwegian government gave the vessel temporary exemption from the requirement “We are pleased that the Minister of Fisheries now seems to let reason prevail over scare propaganda from our competitors,” said Carl-Erik Arnesen at the time Editor Magazine & Web: Gareth Moore Chief Editor: Pål Mugaas Jensen Publisher Oceanspace Media AS:Gustav Erik Blaalid Norwegian ferry operator Fjord Line has postponed the inaugural sailing of its new vessel Stavangerfjord due to delays with the installation and testing of engines and other equipment “We have ordered the most technically advanced equipment available and must accept that the shipyard needs more time to install and fully test it,” said CEO Ingvald Fardal The vessel was originally scheduled to begin its regular service on the route between Bergen as well as the route between Hirtshals and Langesund Passengers who were booked to travel on the ship from Bergen Stavanger or Hirtshals between 29 May and 20 June will be offered a place on Bergensfjord while those departing from Langesund can use HSC Fjord Cat which begins its summer service on 16 May between Kristiansand and Hirtshals Stavangerfjord is the first of two ferries to be built for Fjord Line by Bergen Group Fosen is currently under construction and will replace the current Bergensfjord when it enters service The most popular stories of the month delivered to your inbox The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden Color Line's Superspeed 2 ferry has had to go to the dry docks in Frederikshavn in Denmark to have an assessment carried out on the dent in its hull it sustained when it hit a breakwater in Hirtshals on Saturday ferry services between Larvik and Hirtshals will be cancelled until Friday "Work is done there as quickly as possible we are concerned that this should be done thoroughly and properly and the current estimate is that the ship should be ready and will be able to operate as normal from Friday," Color Line's executive vice president for communications and public relations Erik Brynhildsbakken told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet The boat's trip from Hirtshals to Larvik on Saturday evening was canceled after the collision and all departures on Sunday were also cancelled Those who have booked tickets for the service have been rebooked for the Superspeed 1 service between Hirtshals and Kristianstad Please log in here to leave a comment Ferry operator Fjord Line has carried more than 100,000 guests on its two passenger ferries since January 2014 Last July, Fjord Line launched Stavangerfjord the first of two environmentally friendly passenger ferries built by Bergen Group at Norway’s Fosen shipyard Stavangerfjord operated a regular service on the route between the Norwegian ports of Bergen and Stavanger and the Danish port of Hirtshals the second of the two ferries joined Stavangerfjord on the two routes passenger numbers on the Bergen-Stavanger-Hirtshals route from Norway to Denmark were 14% higher than expected while numbers on the Langesund-Hirtshals route were 13% more than estimated at the end of April “Reservations for the rest of the year indicate that we are sailing toward an all time high,” said Ingvald Fardal “Booking figures for May to December of this year confirm the idea that was the basis for building two new cruise ferries namely that a high quality service offering new and comfortable ships with daily departures from all four ports would generate more demand in the market reservations on the Bergen-Stavanger-Hirtshals line for May were 29% higher than a year earlier growth in ticket sales for eight months is a whopping 371% over the number of tickets sold at the same point last year.” Fjord Line will operate three daily roundtrips on HSC Fjord Cat a high-speed catamaran between Kristiansand in South Norway to Hirtshals in Denmark “Advance sales of tickets also indicate that we are going into a very good season for Fjord Line Express,” said Fardal Currently being completed at a shipyard in Finland offering two daily roundtrips on the route the floating dock in the Port of Hirtshals is now again back in use after a difficult few months and some necessary changes having been made The renovation work included the removal of the 30-year old roof its lifting capacity has been increased by 800 tonnes to 3100 tonnes giving the yard opportunities to handle larger vessels ‘We have been through a tough period for both company and employees but we are now on the track again,’ director Rasmus Brohus said and now we can again fully deliver repairs and refurbishment work.’ He added that as the dock has been through an extensive renovation and activity at the yard has been restarted the company also has a well-placed new shareholders which provides new future opportunities as well as bringing in some new skills that are expected to ensure that Hirtshals Yard remains even more competitive than before ‘We are fully aware of Hirtshals Yards role as a driving force in the servicing of ships and at the same time as the basis for a large number of jobs in Hirtshals We aim to reach our full potential for ship repair renovation and refurbishment as soon as possible,’ Rasmus Brohus explained The yard has taken delivery in January of the first docking in the refurbished dock with Franklin and the yard has more dock space already reserved in its orderbook Made with love by ApolloMedia ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy The first of Fjord Line’s two new cruise ferries was launched at Bergen Group Fosen’s Rissa shipyard in Sør-Trøndelag county on Thursday 6 June godmother and mayor of Rogaland county Janne Johnsen emphasised the importance of its innovative propulsion systems which will offer environmental benefits both at sea and when docked in port “The ship will have a high profile on the west coast and will thus have great symbolic value for the Norwegian shipbuilding industry,” she said “May good fortune smile on her and all who sail in her.” Johnsen also said the new ship will enable the inhabitants of western and south-eastern Norway to commute to Denmark and the rest of the Continent easily which will have a positive impact on the region’s tourism sector “We also expect a sharp increase in the numbers of tourists arriving from Europe well-equipped cruise ferries will be of great importance to the Norwegian tourism industry,” she said Stavangerfjord was originally scheduled to begin its regular service on the route between Bergen shipbuilder Bergen Group Fosen needed more time to test engines and other advanced technical equipment consequently the first regular departure from Hirtshals is now scheduled for 14 July Port of Hirtshals and HMN Gashandel will also join project to fuel ships using natural gas from North Sea the Port of Hirtshals and HMN Gashandel have joined forces to develop Denmark’s first LNG plant that will harness gas from the North Sea to fuel ships Tags: LNG   Fjord Line   Port of Hirtshals   HMN Naturgas Rohde Nielsen recently started work on a beach nourishment project at Lønstrup in Denmark all the sand comes from a maintenance project in Hirtshals Port waves and currents would wear and move back the Lønstrup coast by 1-1.5m on an annual basis That’s why the State and Hjørring Municipality have entered into a joint agreement to feed the beach at Lønstrup In order to renourish the shoreline at Lønstrup Freja R will make multiple trips to deliver the new sand onto the beach This involves dredging sand from the Hirtshals Port and placing it in the water Waves and currents will then deposit the sand onto the Lønstrup beach providing an additional buffer against future storms and coastal erosion Gia Kleist-Lundblad feels at home in Hirtshals which she describes as a charming port town She enjoys being close to the sea and the small community reminds her of her hometown in Greenland she is much happier in Hirtshals than in Lyngby as the maritime environment and the close connection to the fishing industry allows her to connect the theory of the program with practice she and her fellow students have been on an expedition on Havfisken a small 17-meter trawler based in the neighboring town of Strandby They trawled with two different mesh sizes in the codend to see if the mesh size affects the catch Gia Kleist-Lundblad also participated in a fish auction at the harbor early one morning when it was still dark so it was educational to be able to go there and see how it works It was great to see the fishermen bring their catch to the auction where it was sorted and presented to buyers from the fishing industry restaurants or others who need fresh fish," says Gia Kleist-Lundblad the students of the BEng in Fisheries Technology began their 4th semester in Hirtshals instead of Lyngby which has previously been the location of the program a student on the Fisheries Technology program She is one of the few who has studied at both locations Gia Kleist-Lundblad grew up close to the fishing industry with a grandfather who worked on a trawler for 40 years Many of her family members are also fishermen my grandfather always told stories about his experiences at sea He often talked about fishing in the shrimp box which I had always thought was just a box of shrimp But when I came across the term in my studies I realized that the shrimp box covers a specific area that requires special permission to fish," says Gia Kleist-Lundblad she is halfway through her education and looks forward to contributing to the development of fisheries in Greenland Her dream as a graduate fisheries engineer is to work as a bridge builder who can help create a sustainable and future-proof fishing industry in Greenland "Many of the biologists and managers working in Greenland do not speak Greenlandic This makes it difficult for them to explain complex biological and management processes in a way that fishermen can understand This can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of cooperation between fishermen and the authorities that regulate fisheries," says Gia Kleist-Lundblad and continues: sustainability is not only about protecting fish stocks but also about ensuring that fishermen can continue to fish in a way that is economically and environmentally responsible," says Gia Kleist-Lundblad There probably won’t be so many cars or passengers rolling off Color Line ferries in the months ahead The Norwegian shipping line that runs ferries between Norway and Denmark Sweden and Germany confirmed on Friday that it will cut as many as 300 jobs because of Corona virus-related reductions in traffic as were the company’s other ferries that run from Larvik and Kristiansand to Hirtshals in Denmark and from  Sandefjord to Strömstad in Sweden Around 300 workers were laid off and now it’s unclear whether their jobs will be preserved Among those laid off on March 19 was Lise Christie who works on board Color Line’s Superspeed 2 ferry that runs between Larvik and Hirtshals News service Frifagbevegelse reported recently how she was called back to work on August 4 after Denmark had reopened to visitors from Norway and traffic demand rose only to get a new lay-off notice last week Now Christie’s seven years of seniority aren’t likely to keep her employed in the wake of actual job cuts since many colleagues have worked for Color Line much longer than she has “It’s been very strange and sad after I finally could come back to work after that long (four-month) lay-off period,” Christie told Frifagbevegelse Newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN) reported last week that Color Line logged pre-tax losses of NOK 756 million during the first-half of 2020 after operating revenes fell from NOK 2.3 billion during the same period last year to just NOK 1.1 billion this year The company is owned by Norwegian investor and businessman Nils Olav Sunde and his family and they’ve been trying to cut costs both on board their ships and on land at times with only the cargo ship Color Cargo sailing between Oslo and Kiel Like many other companies hit hard by the Corona shutdown Color Line has received crisis funding from the state DN reported that it amounted to NOK 129 million but that only covered some unavoidable fixed costs The company also managed to postpone some loan payments In an apparent attempt to salvage some traffic Color Line has been advertising half-price fares just for pleasure cruises from Oslo to Kiel with no one being allowed to go ashore in Kiel the Color Fantasy and Color Magic will sail “with only guests boarding in Oslo,” but it’s a way for the company to generate some income There’s also an important proviso on the ads that “if Germany becomes ‘green’ again,” changes can occur and restrictions may be eased added that the “dialogue with management was good but it’s of course tough to sit at the table and discuss terminations.” They may be the first of more to come throughout the travel industry with many hotels also expecting a rough autumn and airlines teetering on the brink of bankruptcty Overall unemployment in Norway declined in August but most of the jobless already are those working in the travel sector (which has a 9.1 percent unemployment rate) and retailing The lowest unemployment was found in the health sector NewsInEnglish.no/Nina Berglund If you like what we are doing, please consider a donation. It is easy using PayPal, or our Norway bank account. READ MORE NewsInEnglish.no is a free and independent Oslo-based website offering news from Norway It’s run on a voluntary basis by veteran journalists keen to share insight into Norwegian politics A group of 30 cyclists have pedaled more than 800km in four days as they cycle from Oslo to Amsterdam to raise funds for cancer research.  The cyclists are now on day five of their seven-day 1,300km trip as part of the 2019 edition of the RE/MAX ALIVE Cycling Challenge.  non-governmental organisation that raises funds for cancer research and awareness “To date we have invested more than half a million euros in medical cancer research for the betterment of Maltese society,” said ALIVE charity foundation chairman Nicky Camilleri “The final result is rewarding knowing that all of the funds collected are going to help such a worthy cause.”   the 30 volunteers cycled 160km from Oslo to Larvik Day two was even tougher as the cyclists completed 226km from Hirtshals to Aarhus the Maltese bicyclists cycled from Aarhus to Padborg adding another 222km to their journey while facing strong headwind Day four saw them cycle a further 220km from Padborg to Hamburg.  They are expected to complete a further 174km on Wednesday.  “Mind plays a big part in the challenge” says Aldo Brincat one of the people who has taken on the challenge He continued by adding that it can get tiring especially when doing long stretches in the countryside but that the thought of doing the challenge to raise cancer research funds keeps them motivated To support their cause: send an SMS (Malta) to 50619208 (€ 11.65) - 50618913 (€ 6.99) - 50618081 (€ 4.66) - 50617364 (€ 2.33) or go online to http://www.alivecharity.com/ and click on Donate.  please register for free or log in to your account Det ser ut som denne siden ikke eksisterer eller så kan siden ha blitt slettet eller flyttet Prøv søket for å finne det du leter etter: One of the Life in Norway team checked out the Holland Norway Lines ferry from Eemshaven to Kristiansand the service is no longer available following the company’s bankruptcy The new ferry link between the Netherlands and Norway is a welcome addition for people looking to take the airlines out of their Europe to Norway travel equation Dedicated staff make the crossing a pleasant experience but foot passengers are let down by puzzling management decisions the bad and the ugly about this new travelling option Many were pleased when startup Holland Norway Lines announced a new passenger and car ferry service between the Netherlands and Norway last fall UPDATE: This service has now closed following the company’s bankruptcy we are leaving the review here for historical purposes Until then, ferry links between Norway and continental Europe were limited to Germany (Kiel) and Denmark (Copenhagen With a new link between Kristiansand and Eemshaven Holland Norway Lines provides the westernmost of all options on the European side If you want to reach Norway from the Netherlands Eemshaven is now the nearest crossing point was chartered from Tallink Group subsidiary Tallink Latvija for a three-year period It has room for 1,500 passengers and 350 cars Like most other ships linking Norway to the continent meaning that there’s a larger focus on entertainment and dining than on a traditional ferry the “cruise” aspect on the Romantika feels a bit muted compared to what can be experienced on the Oslo-Kiel link (by established competitor Color Line) with tickets pre-booked in May for an August crossing The cost for the crossing itself for two people was 220 euros Add to that 255 euros for the luxury cabin (an outside cabin with about 50% more space than a regular one) 10 for choosing the specific cabin ourselves (as opposed to getting one assigned) and 4 for the shuttle bus in Eemshaven and you get a grand total of 589 euros for two people Keep in mind that those prices may be higher than normal because we were travelling at the height of the summer season Booking online on the Holland Norway Lines website was straightforward Our tickets showed a departure at 3PM on August 11 and an arrival at 9AM the next day Getting to Eemshaven as a foot passenger is best done by train, from Groningen. This small university town is worth a visit, if only to view their genius Forum; a prime example of architecture being put to use to design usable (and beautiful) public spaces Holland-Norway “strongly discourages” walking from the Eemshaven train station to the terminal which cost just 2 euros per person for a 750-metre ride Note that the train can easily fit 200 people Most people on our train opted for the “strongly discouraged” walking option and because the shuttle could fit so few passengers we had very little waiting at the terminal Other people who were on the train had to line up the check-in consisted only of showing tickets (more specifically the QR code they contain) and ID for all passengers a process which took just a couple of minutes The check-in process for car passengers is slightly different Container-based customer service representatives meet them directly at the vehicle and direct them to the designated waiting area for cars once the process is completed The terminal “building” looks decidedly temporary Boarding is where the lack of investment in infrastructure starts to show Unlike other ferry links that have dedicated terminal buildings that allow foot passengers to board via a bridge that brings them directly to a passenger deck Holland-Norway foot passengers have to board via the car deck because it means foot passengers and cars have to board separately (for obvious safety reasons) It also means that the foot passengers enter the ship at the very bottom and have many floors to climb to get to their cabins The stairwells from the car deck effectively act as bottlenecks Compounding the bottleneck effect is the fact that many people with luggage understandably wish to use the elevators The queues that form impede the circulation of everyone (including people willing to take the stairs) Situations like these are not uncommon on any type of ship but the fact that everyone has to board on the same level makes the traffic jam a bit more severe in this case The cabins have everything you can expect from a ferry cabin Remember we booked a ‘luxury' cabin so that's what you see in the picture The luxury cabin is similar to the standard cabin Note that the floor of the shower is on the same level as the floor of the rest of the bathroom which means that you can expect water to cover the whole floor by the time you are done (especially if there is motion due to waves) It must be pointed out that as tax free shopping goes the experience is much more laid back on a ship than at the airport Tax-free shopping when going abroad is a national sport for Norwegians The Romantika’s tax free shop has a selection of wines with the “Starlight hall” being the largest we ordered the buffet for both dinner and breakfast The buffet provides good value for money (especially when seen from a Norwegian perspective) and drinks are included – this applies to coffee Maybe it was because the ship was fully booked when we were there but the ambiance at the buffet was not exactly relaxed Be prepared to have to share a table with strangers if the restaurant is busy The à la carte option may provide a calmer experience There's also a cafe-style dining option for lighter meals If your heart is set on a particular dining option book it at the time of buying your tickets to ensure you have a spot Changing your mind aboard is possible but subject to available space Disembarking was a relatively straightforward procedure, but again, the process suffered from a lack of investment. Despite the presence of a dedicated foot bridge at the terminal in Kristiansand foot passengers were made to disembark via the car deck this is because the existing bridge (part of the Color Line terminal) is not calibrated for the Romantika this lack of a dedicated exit for foot passengers means that motor vehicles disembark first while foot passengers were allowed off ship at 10:13AM Another bottleneck was created off-ship though because all foot passengers have to access a dedicated walkway by way of a single flight of stairs Considering that everyone is carrying their luggage this walkway is the one you would end up on if the foot bridge was in use The Romantika was plagued by even more serious infrastructure problems when the service launched, as several vehicles were damaged in Kristiansand due to the ramp leading to the ship being too steep but the current situation with the foot passengers seems to indicate that investments in port infrastructure have been kept to a minimum our ticket stated an arrival in Kristiansand at 9AM we had purchased train tickets for the onward journey an announcement was made saying that we would arrive “on schedule This had us frantically checking our ticket and confirming that it did But the least one can expect is to get the information ahead of time when the change is a schedule change and not an unexpected This left us having to plan our onward journey with a spotty phone connection at sea and we managed to secure bus tickets to get us to Oslo Other passengers were equally surprised at the unexpected change it may be a one-time event; the result of a series of unfortunate circumstances which will not be repeated plentiful food: the Eemshaven-Kristiansand has a lot going for it There are some details to iron out on the foot passenger side but all in all it provides an attractive option for anyone trying to reach Norway from continental Europe (or vice-versa) while avoiding flying The Romantika has been chartered for three years maybe infrastructure investments will follow the company says it aims to become the first cruise-ferry line with net zero emissions by 2026 Daniel was living a perfectly normal life as a journalist in Canada until he was swept off his feet by a Norwegian He now lives in Trondheim where he still works in communications Any news or information of any future UK/Norway crossings Hi, this is the latest news: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2022/07/07/bergen-cruise-line-plans-to-reinstate-norway-england-ferries/ Wondering about the schedule and number of trips between Esmshaven & Kristiansand Life in Norway is published by Words of Norway AS The Philippine-made high-speed ferry Fjord FSTR has finally set sail from Cebu to its new home in Hirtshals The first wholly constructed passenger and cargo ship built in the Philippines for Denmark left the port of Cebu on March 5 marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations reported the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs The Fjord FSTR has the following features: The high-speed ferry will operate between Denmark and Norway The first Philippine-made Ocean-Powered Hybrid Trimaran has been built by Metallica Shipyard and supported by DOST-PCIEERD The Philippines built one of the world’s biggest container ships at Subic in 2018 SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the teams behind the building of the Philippine-made High-Speed Ferry that sailed to its new home in Denmark this March Good News Pilipinas is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2021 by giving away prizes! Subscribe to our Good News Pilipinas! TV YouTube channel and enter the raffle by sending us an email to editor@goodnewspilipinas.com Join the GoodNewsPilipinas.com VIP list and get your daily dose of sunshine and Pinoy Pride Unwrap stories that put Filipino awesomeness in your life CLICK the subscribe button for our e-newsletter and turn your inbox into a fiesta of feel-good news Good News Pilipinas is a news and information website that highlights the good in the Filipino and the Philippines