"Fjord Line now has two ambitious owners who know both the industry and the company, think long-term, and have strong faith in Fjord Line. This is a strong foundation for taking Fjord Line into the future," says Brian Thorsted Hansen, CEO of Fjord Line.

Since its inception in 1993, Fjord Line has grown into Norway's second largest international ferry company. The company transports around one million passengers annually between Norway and Denmark, with daily departures between Bergen, Stavanger and Hirtshals, as well as Kristiansand and Hirtshals.

Strategic and financial strengthening

In connection with the transaction, the new owners will provide Fjord Line with fresh equity.

"The capital injection strengthened the shipping company's financial room for manoeuvre and is a clear signal of long-term ambitions. It means a lot for the direction we are going to set and the speed we are going to keep. Fjord Line has never been better equipped, and we look forward to making the best possible use of this room for manoeuvre," says Brian Thorsted Hansen.

Investment and modernization

Together with Egersund-based Kontrari, Ferd has been the main owner of Fjord Line since 2015. In 2023, West Coast Invest from Bergen became a co-owner of the company.

Financially and strategically, the ten-year period has been characterised by substantial investments to ensure long-term competitiveness. The company has refined its position as the leading player in Western and Southern Norway towards the continent. An important milestone was the delivery of the new high-speed ferry FJORD FSTR. With double passenger and car capacity, this offer on the Kristiansand–Hirtshals route strengthened considerably.

At the same time, Fjord Line has taken a strong position in sustainability. The cruise ferries STAVANGERFJORD and BERGENSFJORD are the world's first LNG-powered cruise ferries. When the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine hit, Fjord Line took the opportunity to upgrade the ships further with new and even more efficient engines with dual fuel capability.

"We have modernized, invested and optimized. Fjord Line today is a more streamlined company than ever, with better ships, a clearer position and a stronger sustainability profile. It is a good place to start a new phase of growth," says Thorsted Hansen.

Thanking Ferd for the collaboration

Fjord Line thanks Ferd for ten years as an active co-owner – through growth, the pandemic and the energy crisis.

"Ferd has been a steady partner during some of the most challenging periods we have experienced. We are grateful for the collaboration and wish them the best of luck in the future," says Thorsted Hansen.

Grateful for ten years as a co-owner

"It has been a journey characterized by both great success and unforeseen, extreme challenges. Looking back, we are proud of how the company and its employees have handled the restructuring. Fjord Line is now a different company than when we joined, well equipped for the future," says Kristian Eikre, Co-head of Ferd Capital.

"For us at Ferd, active ownership is about knowing when to go in, but also when it is right to go out. We have completed the turnaround after the pandemic. The company has a modern fleet, a competent management team and a clear strategy. Our co-owners have in-depth knowledge of the industry, which makes them the right owners to take Fjord Line to the next level," says Eikre.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value.

About Fjord Line

Since its inception in 1993, Fjord Line has grown into Norway's second largest international ferry company. The company currently transports around one million passengers annually between Norway and Denmark, with daily departures from Bergen, Stavanger to Hirtshals and Kristiansand to Hirtshals. The company operates the modern cruise ferries STAVANGERFJORD and BERGENSFJORD, and the high-speed ferry HSC FJORD FSTR. Fjord Line's head office is in Egersund, and employs about 640 people.

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