A joint initiative from the Bergen and Stavanger tourist industry means that a new UK – Norway ferry route could be established.

Progress has been made in the project, and following considerable financial backing, Norwegian and UK investors are now working at establishing a shipping line and are hiring personnel to reinstate the Newcastle – Western Norway ferry route previously operated by DFDS Seaways, which was closed in 2008.

Head of tourism for the Stavanger region, Ståle Brandshaug, told Aftenbladet,

“We have set up an interim company. The board is engaged in drawing up a detailed opportunity analysis which will be presented to several shipping companies.

“Amongst other things, it will describe route requirements, sailing times, and the size of the ship.”

The idea is for the ship to carry between 600 and 800 passengers, 200 and 300 cars and 50 and 100 cargo units, and it will sail from Newcastle to Bergen, Haugesund and Risavika.

Ståle Brandshaug declared the initiative to be optimistic and said the service could be in operation as early as next year, but it is dependent on a ferry company seeing the potential of the route.

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