The background of this agreement is that Color Line has experienced far-reaching and negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has put in place extensive cost reduction measures on board its ships and ashore (including temporarily laying off just under 2,200 employees and cutting salaries) to cover anticipated revenue losses.

Since the Governments closed the borders in the middle of March, total income is down approx. 90 percent. Operations have continued in parts of the cargo business, with COLOR CARRIER continuing to operate on the Norway-Germany service and SUPERSPEED 1 and SUPERSPEED 2 operating between Norway and Denmark. Color Group, including subsidiaries, qualifies for financial support under the packages of measures adopted by the Norwegian government.

Color Line is following a strategy of responsible and gradual resumption of operations on all its passenger traffic routes. In doing so, the company will keep a sharp focus on infection control and on complying with national and international guidelines. The company has compiled its own safe guidelines for avoiding infections. Color Line’s primary focus is to prepare the start-up of operations as the borders to the main markets open.

Current plan for the recommencement of operations is as follows: o Oslo-Kiel: The gradual resumption of passenger traffic operations starting on 17 June 2020 o Kristiansand-Hirtshals: The gradual resumption of passenger traffic operations starting on 15 June 2020 o Larvik-Hirtshals: The gradual resumption of passenger traffic operations starting on 15 June 2020 Color Group will revert with further information on the company’s performance and status in its half-yearly financial report at the end of August 2020.