As a Dutchy living in Norway, I’ve become invested in the travel options between these two countries. When your family doesn’t live in big cities, air travel isn’t always the most efficient way to visit them. I generally prefer ferries over flights anyway – you can take much more luggage, even your car if needed, and ferry travel offers a relaxing start to your holiday (at least when the seas aren’t rough).
Over the years, I’ve experienced different ferry routes from mainland Europe to Scandinavia, writing about my experiences with Fjordline from Stavanger to Kristiansand and Hirtshals. However, the ferry route most important to me is naturally one that directly connects the Netherlands and Norway.
The Rise and Fall of Holland Norway Lines
In 2022, Holland Norway Lines (HNL) finally established a direct ferry connection between Norway and the Netherlands. I was fortunate enough to travel on one of the first sailings during the summer of 2022.
It wasn’t cheap – I paid around €1,000 for one person, a normal-sized campervan, and a regular cabin on a flexible two way ticket. As is typical with ferries, prices varied significantly depending on the travel date. I travelled in early August, just after the high season.
Despite the cost, I was generally pleased with the experience. According to Dutch news site Sikkom, the ships were supposedly old and worn down, but this wasn’t my experience. The MS Romantika was similar to, if not newer than, the ferries I’d been on from DFDS and Fjordline. Not everything worked perfectly though – they advertised a “Spa on deck 9,” but it was closed during my sailing and, from what I’ve heard, on several other journeys as well.
The ferry service was initially very popular, with travellers generally enthusiastic about the connection. However, after that promising first summer, things quickly went downhill.
The main problem was that the MS Romantika didn’t have its own dedicated dock in Eemshaven. This led to frequent last-minute delays, cancellations, or redirections to the German port of Emden and Cuxhaven. Understandably, these disruptions caused many passengers to lose trust in the service, eventually leading to the company’s bankruptcy in September 2023.
The collapse left approximately 4,000 passengers without ticket refunds, as HNL wasn’t connected to any consumer protection fund for affected customers.
New Hope on the Horizon: Njordic Ferry Lines
While the Holland Norway Lines story ended in disappointment, there’s exciting news for those of us longing for a direct ferry connection between the Netherlands and Norway. A new company called Njordic Ferry Lines is planning to establish a ferry service by 2027.
According to reports from both Dutch and Norwegian media, Njordic Ferry Lines aims to operate a route between Eemshaven in the Netherlands and Arendal in Norway. This marks a change from the previous Kristiansand connection, as Njordic Ferry Lines director Edwin van der Stam explained to Dutch news outlet RTV Noord that Kristiansand’s harbour is already at full capacity.
The Norwegian port of Arendal seems enthusiastic about the prospect. Arendal harbour master Rune Hvass confirmed ongoing discussions with Njordic Ferry Lines, telling Dutch media:
“We think we have an excellent market to offer, both for freight transport and for tourists from the Netherlands. The number of Dutch tourists coming to Norway has been increasing for several years. We’re happy to see them come here.”
One advantage of Arendal as a destination is its proximity to Oslo and Norwegian ski areas compared to Kristiansand. This could make it more attractive for travellers heading to these parts of Norway.
Learning from Past Mistakes
Njordic Ferry Lines appears to have learned important lessons from Holland Norway Lines’ failure. Their business model includes some key differences:
- They’ll focus on both passenger and freight transport, creating a more stable revenue stream
- Plans call for two ferries rather than just one, allowing for more reliable daily service
- Proper infrastructure will be developed at both ports before service begins
- The company is reportedly well-financed with professional investors, including private equity firms
Infrastructure Development Needed
Unlike the previous attempt, significant infrastructure work is planned on both sides of the North Sea. In the Eemshaven, a dedicated docking and boarding location still needs to be developed. According to Sikkom, the Dutch news site, the province of Groningen is conducting research to prevent a repeat of the HNL fiasco.
Klaas Stadens from the province of Groningen emphasised that “a new ferry service must be based on a well-substantiated plan.”
On the Norwegian side, Hvass estimates that about 100 million Norwegian kroner (approximately €9.5 million) will need to be invested in infrastructure related to customs, border control, and traffic management in Arendal harbour.
The increased traffic will also require road improvements connecting the harbour to main highways, which is expected to be a joint funding effort between local, regional, and national authorities in Norway. According to Kåre Andersen, business development chief in Arendal municipality, this is considered “probably the most important infrastructure project in Southern Norway at the moment.”
Broad Political Support
The project has garnered broad political support in both countries. Helen Falch Fladmark, who leads the community committee in Arendal municipality, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: “This seems like a good business plan with broad political support behind it. This is important not just for Arendal but for the entire region.”
What This Means for Travellers
If all goes according to plan, by early 2027, we’ll be able to take a ferry carrying cars and up to 1,200 passengers from Eemshaven to Arendal.
The ferry is expected to increase tourism on Norway’s southern coast and lower shipping costs between the two countries. Additionally, Hvass believes the ferry connection will attract more businesses to set up near the port, creating jobs and increasing economic value in the region.
October 2024 Update: Progress in Arendal, Caution in Eemshaven
Recent developments suggest the new ferry connection is moving forward. In September 2024, Norwegian authorities expressed confidence in Njordic Ferry Lines’ business plan, performed by Royal HaskoningDHV, according to RTVNoord, whilst Groningen officials remained unwilling to discuss its contents publicly.
A milestone was reached when a Groningen delegation – including representatives from the province, Het Hogeland municipality, and Groningen Seaports – visited Arendal on 11-12 September to sign a letter of intent. The Norwegian side has shown remarkable commitment, having already removed a rock formation to create space, adapted the quay for ferry docking, and planned a five-kilometre road connecting the harbour to the E18 motorway. The Norwegian region of Agder has committed to investing heavily in a new terminal and infrastructure improvements.
The enthusiasm gap between the two countries remains notable. Whilst a local poll in Groningen showed 92% of respondents eager for the service to start immediately, Groningen officials maintain their cautious stance. Gedeputeerde Erik-Jan Bennema described the discussions as still “orienting” and emphasised that any investment proposal would need careful consideration.
Beyond transport, the Norwegians envision broader collaboration, particularly in knowledge exchange between Groningen’s university and Norwegian institutions in areas like energy transition and maritime technology. The plan remains for daily service starting in 2027.
Final Thoughts
As someone who has experienced ferry travel between the Netherlands and Norway firsthand, I’m cautiously optimistic about this new development. The previous disappointment with Holland Norway Lines still stings, but Njordic Ferry Lines appears to have learned lessons from HNL. I’ll follow developments closely and share updates on my blog as this project progresses.
Would you consider taking this ferry route once it opens? Have you used ferry connections to Scandinavia before? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Sources
- DutchNews.nl – Holland Norway Lines ferry company goes under
https://www.dutchnews.nl/2023/09/holland-norway-lines-ferry-company-goes-under - NL Times – Holland Norway Lines suspends operations due to financial troubles
https://nltimes.nl/2023/08/30/holland-norway-lines-suspends-operations-due-financial-troubles - NL Times – 75,000 travelers affected by Holland Norway Lines bankruptcy
https://nltimes.nl/2023/09/05/75000-travelers-affected-holland-norway-lines-bankruptcy-curator-says - SWZ Maritime – Holland Norway Lines declared bankrupt
https://swzmaritime.nl/news/2023/09/05/holland-norway-lines-declared-bankrupt - Sikkom.nl – Holland Norway Lines is declared bankrupt
https://sikkom.nl/actueel/Het-is-over-en-uit-met-de-MS-Dramatika.-Holland-Norway-Lines-is-failliet-verklaard-28621956.html - The Local Norway – Holland Norway Lines suspends all future crossings
https://www.thelocal.no/20230901/holland-norway-lines-suspends-all-future-crossings - NRK – Ferry to the Netherlands in two years, important to Arendal/
https://www.nrk.no/sorlandet/ferge-til-nederland-om-to-ar_-_-viktig-for-arendal-1.17275485 - RTV Noord – Njordic Ferry Lines from 2027 to Norwegian Arendal
https://www.rtvnoord.nl/economie/1267734/njordic-ferry-lines-vanaf-2027-veerdienst-naar-noorse-arendal - Njordic Ferry Lines – Official website
https://njordicferrylines.com/ - Skipsfarts-Forum – Njordic Ferry Lines discussion thread
https://skipsfarts-forum.net/index.php?threads/njordic-ferry-lines.2916/ - RTV Noord – Groningse delegatie overlegt met Noorse havenplaats over verbinding met de Eemshaven https://www.rtvnoord.nl/economie/1267313/groningse-delegatie-overlegt-met-noorse-havenplaats-over-verbinding-met-de-eemshaven (7 September 2024)
- RTV Noord – Arendal klaar voor veerboot naar Eemshaven, bal ligt nu bij Groningen https://www.rtvnoord.nl/economie/1267609/arendal-klaar-voor-veerboot-naar-eemshaven-bal-ligt-nu-bij-groningen (8 September 2024)
- RTV Noord – Lopend Vuur: Als het aan mij ligt, vertrekt de eerste veerboot naar Noorwegen morgen al https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/1267650/lopend-vuur-als-het-aan-mij-ligt-vertrekt-de-eerste-veerboot-naar-noorwegen-morgen-al (9 September 2024)
- Omroep het Hoge land – Groningse delegatie overlegt met Noorse havenplaats over verbinding met de Eemshaven https://omroephethogeland.nl/2025/09/07/groningse-delegatie-overlegt-met-noorse-havenplaats-over-verbinding-met-de-eemshaven/ (.
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