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NORWAY. Ferry company Fjord Line and Gebr Heinemann have signed a five-year concession contract for Fjord Line’s two new cruise ships. The first ship will go into service following the end of the high season in 2012. The contract covers the retailing of fragrances & cosmetics, spirits, tobacco, confectionery, fashion & accessories and delicacies.
“We are pleased to have Europe ‘s leading duty free retailer, Gebr Heinemann, join us on our large, modern new cruise ferries,” said Fjord Line CEO Ingvald Fardal.
Fjord Line provides ferry transport between Norway and the rest of Europe. The company operates the passenger ferry MS Bergensfjord, which sails between Bergen, Stavanger and Hirtshals, and the high-speed catamaran HSC Fjord Cat on the express line between Kristiansand and Hirtshals during the extended summer season.
In addition to passenger traffic, Fjord Line carries cargo including commercial vehicles, containers and other goods.
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The new five-year deal covers Fjord Line’s next generation of ships |
Fjord Line’s new ships are being built by Bergen Group Fosen and will “represent a new era for ferry traffic between Norway and the EU, both in terms of size and comfort,” the company said.
The new cruise ferries have a deadweight of 3,900 tons and a total length of 170 metres. Each ship will offer 306 cabins, many of which will be suites, and will accommodate 1,500 passengers. The cargo decks will have capacity for 600 personal vehicles or a smaller number in combination with larger trucks and cargo.
The cruise ferries will offer restaurants, cafés, a duty free shop and facilities for courses and conferences.
“We are delighted about this new cooperation as it opens to us new horizons in onboard retailing. With Fjord Line we are pleased to explore this new opportunity,” said Peter Irion, Board Member of Gebr Heinemann.
