Fjord Line Unites Under Norwegian Ownership

The existing owners Kontrari and West Coast Invest have acquired Ferd's stake in Fjord Line and become sole owners of the Norwegian ferry company, each holding an equal share of 50 percent.

“Fjord Line now has two ambitious owners who know both the industry and the company, with long-term ambitions and strong faith in Fjord Line. This is a solid foundation for taking Fjord Line into the future”, said Fjord Line CEO Brian Thorsted Hansen.

Fjord Line is Norway's second largest international ferry company. Carrying around one million guests annually, the company serves several lines between Norway and Denmark, and offers daily departures from Bergen and Stavanger to Hirtshals, and from Kristiansand to Hirtshals.

Strategic and Financial Strength

As part of the transaction, the new owners inject fresh equity into Fjord Line.

“The capital injection strengthens the company´s financial flexibility, and sends a clear signal of long-term ambitions. It means a great deal for the direction we will set and the pace we will keep. Fjord Line has never been better positioned, and we look forward to making the most of this headroom”, said Brian Thorsted Hansen.

Investment and Modernization

Alongside Egersund-based Kontrari, the investment company Ferd has been a majority owner of Fjord Line since 2015. In 2023, Bergen-based West Coast Invest joined as a co-owner.

Under their co-ownership, the past decade has been defined by significant investments to secure long-term competitiveness for Fjord Line. The company has strengthened its position as the leading and most modern operator connecting West and Southern Norway to the continent. A key milestone was the delivery of the high-speed vessel Fjord FSTR. With double the passenger and car capacity, it significantly strengthened the Kristiansand – Hirtshals service.

At the same time, Fjord Line has established a leading position in sustainability. MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord were the world's first LNG-powered cruise ferries. When the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine struck, Fjord Line used the opportunity to further upgrade the ships with new, even more efficient dual-fuel engines.

“We have modernized, invested and optimized. Fjord Line today is a more streamlined company, with better ships, a clearer market position and a stronger sustainability profile. It is a good position to start our next chapter”, said Thorsted Hansen.

A Decade of Partnership

After ten years as an active co-owner, Ferd exits a company that looks very different from the one it joined.

“Ferd has been a strong partner through some of our most challenging years. We are grateful for the collaboration and wish them all the best”, said Thorsted Hansen.

Ferd has stood shoulder to shoulder with its co-owners through some of the most turbulent years for the travel industry.

“At Ferd, active ownership is about knowing when to enter, but also when it is the right time to exit. We have completed the post-pandemic turnaround. The company has a modern fleet, a capable management team and a clear strategy. Our co-owners have deep industry knowledge that makes them the right owners to take Fjord Line to the next level,” said Kristian Eikre, Co-head of Ferd Capital.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value.