Tag

Norled

Jul 06
Love3

Norled Reports Higher Revenue but Remains in the Red

By 2026 Newsletter week 27

Norwegian ferry and fast craft operator Norled increased revenue to NOK 2.97 billion in 2025, up from NOK 2.81 billion in 2024. EBITDA improved to NOK 507 million, compared with NOK 391 million the previous year.

However, Norled reported a net loss of NOK 894 million, largely due to impairments, provisions for loss-making contracts and operational challenges linked to new vessels and technologies. The company highlighted delays in the introduction of battery-electric high-speed craft and higher-than-expected operating costs on some new contracts.

During 2025, Norled invested NOK 761 million in new vessels, electrification projects and shore infrastructure. The operator also increased the share of zero- and low-emission vessels in its fleet from 42 % to 45 %.

Looking ahead, Norled said its portfolio comprises 24 ferry and express boat contracts, including a new Nordland ferry contract scheduled to start in 2027.

Click on the picture to access the annual report

In a LinkedIn statement accompanying the annual report, Norled argued that the financial challenges highlight a broader issue facing the maritime energy transition. The operator said ferry companies are carrying too much of the technology and implementation risk associated with electrification and other low-emission technologies. Norled called for greater risk-sharing in public service contracts, more flexibility when operating conditions change, standardised contract models and better compensation mechanisms for regulatory and cost increases. The company warned that excessive risk transfer to operators could ultimately reduce competition and slow innovation.

Oct 11
Love2

Norled Upgrades Express Boats in Oslo for Greener Travel

By 2024 Newsletter week 41
  • Upgraded and greener express boats: Norled and Ruter are upgrading Oslo’s express boats to battery-electric operation, starting with MS Baronessen (redelivered) and MS Baronen (being converted).
  • The vessels are owned and operated by Norled on behalf of Ruter, and the conversion was done at the Brødrene Aa shipyard.
  • Battery conversion and new design: The vessels have been fitted with battery packs and redesigned for better energy efficiency and passenger comfort.
  • CO2 reduction: The upgrades will save 2,600 tonnes of CO2 annually.
  • Innovative SHIFTR robots: The boats will use battery-swapping robots for efficient operation.
  • Accessibility improvements: The vessels have been extended and redesigned with universal design features for accessibility.
  • The Baronessen is expected to re-enter service soon.

Source: Norled

Feb 23
Love1

Norled orders 3+1 ferries

By 2024 Newsletter week 08

Before Christmas, Norled placed an order for three identical battery-electric ferries with capacity for 60 passenger cars and 250 passengers. Norled confirmed the option for a fourth one.

Havyard Leirvik is building the ferries for the Stokkvågen-Lovund-Træna connection for Nordland fylkeskommune. They will be ready as from 2027.

Jan 06
Love0

Norled wins the Stokkvågen tender

By 2024 Newsletter week 01

Norled won the tender for the ferry connections Stokkvågen-Lovund and Stokkvågen-Træna after delivering a concept that cuts emissions by up to 90%.

Three new battery-hybrid ferries will enter the connection in 2027.

The three new buildings that will join the connection will all have capacity for 60 passenger cars and 250 passengers including crew.

The battery capacity for each of the ferries is approximately 8,000 kWh, making them the ferries with the largest battery capacity in Norway.

Norled has entered into a letter of intent with the shipyard Havyard for the construction of three of the battery ferries and also has an option for a fourth vessel.

LMG Marine has designed the ferries.

Jan 06
Love0

Norled wins Utsira tender

By 2024 Newsletter week 01

The new Utsira ferry will be operated by Norled.

An island right out in the open ocean, Utsira is one of Norway’s smallest municipalities in terms of population size. There is only one ferry connection: from Haugesund (a town between Bergen and Stavanger).

The contract is for 20 years with an option for an additional 10 years (5+5).

Breeze Ship Design in Leirvik will design the new Utsira ferry. The new double-ender ferry will be fully electric and designed to accommodate 179 passengers and 29 cars.

The new contract will commence on May 1, 2025.

Jun 09
Love0

Norled, Remota and Seam sign LOI for remote and autonomous ferry operations

By 2023 Newsletter week 23

Norwegian ferry and express boat operator Norled, Remota AS and Seam AS have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on the further development and operation of a control center for marine operations and autonomous operations of ships.

Remota is a joint venture between DeepOcean, Solstad Offshore and Østensjø Group, set up to fast-track the adoption of remotely managed services in order to drive down operating costs and emissions for the marine and offshore industries.

Seam is a leading supplier of zero-emission solutions to the maritime industry.

The three companies intend to build on Remota’s already established control center for marine and semi-autonomous vessel operations, and further develop this to include control of autonomous operations.

Through a joint control center environment, the parties want to share experiences, collaborate on technological solutions, promote standardization and utilize cross-functional synergies that benefit Norled and its customers, Remota and Seam.

May 19
Love0

Brødrene Aa will build three electric ferries for Norled

By 2023 Newsletter week 20
  • AtB (Trøndelag’s mobility company) awarded tender contracts to Norled for three vessels starting in January 2024.
  • Brødrene Aa will build the ferries, marking their largest single contract valued at NOK 420 million.
  • Two ferries will operate the Trondheim-Kristiansund route, while the third will serve the Trondheim-Brekstad route on Ørlandet.
  • The fast ferries will utilize the battery replacement solution SHIFTR, allowing for scheduled battery pack exchanges with fully charged ones.
  • The SHIFTR system is a result of a Pilot-E development project led by Norled, involving Brødrene Aa.
  • The exchange solution will be piloted on two existing Brødrene Aa-built boats, BARONEN and BARONESSEN, which will be converted to fully electric operation.
  • This marks the first regular use of SHIFTR on a route, following the formal contract between Brødrene Aa, Norled, and the conversion of the two vessels.
Jan 27
Love0

Oma Baatbyggeri delivered hybrid battery-electric FREY to Norled.

By 2023 Newsletter week 4

Norled has been handed over the hybrid battery-electric vessel from Oma Baatbyggeri. The vessel will mainly run on batteries when it comes into service in Sogn next year.

FREY is one of three new low-emission vessels that will operate in the Florø basin from 1 May 2024. The vessel has a modern and universal design with a large saloon and large window surfaces. It has room for 72 passengers, as well as 7 passenger cars or a 40-tonne wagon train. The 30-metre-long vessel also has a hold and a crane.

The vessel is based on Oma‘s combi-catamaran concept, but unlike previous vessels, MS “Frey” is supplied with a hybrid battery-electric propulsion system. This means that the boat can run with zero emissions of CO2 and 100% electric operation in most of the routes that they will operate in Sogn.

In May, the sister vessel will be delivered. This is also to be included in the route in Sogn. These are two of three vessels being built for Sogn route package 2 that Norled won in 2021.

Before FREY goes into service in Florø, the vessel will go for a period on the Lysefjord route in Rogaland.

NORLED also signed a contract with OMA for a new ferry.

Source: Norled

Jan 13
Love0

Third Singapore-built ferry on its way to Norway

By 2023 Newsletter week 2

Sembcorp Marine delivered LEIKANGER, the last of three fully battery-operated ferries for Norled. The vessel is on its way to Europe onboard a Rolldock heavy lift vessel.

Sisters HELLA and DRAGSVIK were delivered in March and July 2022.

The ferries run on lithium-ion batteries charged by hydro-electric energy power. The vessels can also operate in hybrid mode using combined battery-diesel power as an alternative.

The zero-emission vessels are based on a proprietary design developed by Sembcorp Marine’s wholly-owned subsidiary, LMG Marin AS.

Oct 24
Love0

Norled wins the contract for the Trondheimfjord

By 2022 Newsletter week 42

On 14 October 2022, Norled AS won the contracts for:

  • Route 800 Trondheim – Kristiansund
  • Route 805 Trondheim – Brekstad
  • Route 810 Trondheim – Vanvikan

Contract lasts until 24 April 2030.

  • 2 new electric vessels for Trondheim – Kristiansund: aim to reduce CO2 emissions with 70%
  • 1 new electric vessel for Trondheim – Brekstad (route 805) – emission reduction is up to 80%.
  • During the start-up period, the connections will be operated by alternative vessels until the new boats are in place during 2024.
  • On the route Trondheim – Vanvikan (route 810), the vessel TIDEVIND will be converted into battery hybrid operation.

SHIFT will provide the new battery exchange solution.