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Author: Randi Vestergaard

  • Smyril Line’s 2024 Results

    Smyril Line’s 2024 Results

    Smyril Line’s 2024 Results

    2024 has been a landmark year for Smyril Line, characterised by significant investments and strategic decisions aimed at securing the company’s future growth. Through targeted investments and operational improvements, we have strengthened our position in maritime transport and successfully adapted to evolving market conditions. Both our passenger and freight divisions have delivered strong performances throughout the year.


    Investing in Fleet and New Headquarters

    As part of our long-term growth strategy, Smyril Line signed a contract with CIMC Raffles shipyard in China in early 2024 to build two new freight vessels. These vessels, designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind, are scheduled to enter service in mid-2026. This investment reflects our commitment to enhancing service levels while advancing greener energy solutions within the maritime industry.

    In May 2024, we commissioned Articon to construct our new headquarters, terminal, and storage facility in Tórshavn. This modern facility, set for completion in 2026, will optimise operations and improve service for both our freight and passenger customers.


    Financial Performance and Outlook

    Despite high inflation, labour strikes, and the introduction of new industry levies, Smyril Line delivered record-breaking financial results in 2024. Smyril Line achieved a net profit of DKK 127 million and an operating profit of DKK 286 million, surpassing 2023 earnings by DKK 5 million.

    Based on current developments and outlook, Smyril Line expects continued growth in both passenger and freight transport in 2025. However, our financial outlook remains subject to external factors, including fuel prices, inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical developments. We will continue to focus on operational efficiency, sustainable investments, and customer service excellence to navigate the year ahead.

  • Camping Adventure in the Faroe Islands

    Camping Adventure in the Faroe Islands

    TRAVELOGUE

    Camping Adventure
    in the Faroe Islands

    An Adventurous Start
    to the Journey

    The ferry journey from Hirtshals to Tórshavn turned out to be the biggest positive surprise. With two boys just under 10 years old, I was curious how it would go. I’ve always personally enjoyed ferry rides and find something adventurous about them, and it truly turned out to be a fantastic start to our trip. Especially the outdoor hot tubs with views of the endless blue Atlantic horizon, and the lavish buffet, where you can fill yourself with everything from langoustines to roast lamb and homemade salads, were favourites. 

    The ferry was cosily decorated with historical photos and informative texts on the walls, sparking interesting conversations about alternative ways of living. Passing by the Shetland Islands and small islands off the Norwegian coast, there was a contagious curiosity on deck. People stood with binoculars and camera zoom lenses, excitedly pointing out and discussing what we passed by. 

    Having lived alternatively in our camper for over a year, we hadn’t had a proper journey like this until now. I think we might have been particularly lucky with the weather—it was a very calm trip all the way.

    Travelogue by

    Jes Lindrum Brinch

    Destination

    Faroe Islands

    Vehicle

    Camper

    Time of year

    Summer

    The Faroe Islands…
    the Perfect Choice

    The 18 manageable islands of the Faroe Islands are indeed stunningly green and wild. However, weather showing them at their best comes and goes. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time here. Therefore, it’s truly perfect to drive around with a campervan between the islands. It naturally allows you to chase the driest weather conditions.

    As soon as you leave Tórshavn, you quickly find yourself far away from facilities like food, drinks, and toilets. Regarding the latter, privacy is scarce on the grassy slopes along the roads, making it especially convenient always to have your own toilet.

    The roads are fine to drive on. You quickly get used to giving way to sheep and pulling aside for oncoming traffic on narrow roads. Speeds are naturally lower when driving a campervan on winding roads, giving you more time to enjoy the views. In fact, the elevated seating position in the camper offers an even more spectacular view of the coastal cliffs. You can see clearly over guardrails and better down the mountainsides towards the water.

    Which Island to Choose?

    We felt that Eysturoy has it all. Heading north, you find dramatic views with steep slopes and winding roads. To the south, the landscape flattens out, and the atmosphere becomes more rural. However, you don’t really need to choose. Most of the islands are well-connected, making it easy to drive and see several famous beautiful places in a single day. The islands are breathtakingly beautiful in many places, so it’s best to accept you’ll have to prioritise what to visit. 

    We particularly enjoyed camping in Gjógv. It’s a lovely location with a charming atmosphere. From here, you can easily access the starting point for the hike up Slættaratindur, which, at 880 metres, is the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. The name means “flat mountain summit,” and it’s featured in the Guinness Book of Records for offering the longest line of sight in the world—550 km all the way to Vatnajökull in Iceland, due to atmospheric refraction effects. We curiously observed those on their way up and had brief chats with hikers coming down. It looked manageable, but the boys were somewhat tired of hiking at that moment, so that adventure is still waiting for us.

    Another advantage of Gjógv is that the village reportedly often has sunshine, especially when southern winds pull a blanket of fog over many other interesting spots.

    The World’s Smallest Capital

    It doesn’t take long to walk through the main street here, and shopping options are limited for a capital city. But there’s everything you need, and in a way, it feels authentic and refreshing that Tórshavn hasn’t become yet another capital designed just for tourists. The SMS shopping centre offers great milkshakes and tasty food. The local swimming pool provides diving boards, ice-cold dips, and optional jacuzzi sessions. Near the town’s beach, there are good fishing opportunities, and when fog or rain settles in, at least three cosy cafés in town offer delicious coffee and cakes.

    Don’t miss out on strolling through the old town, feeling the sense of history in the narrow alleyways among colourful wooden houses. Start your walk, for example, at Undir Ryggi, where several houses have grass roofs, and it feels as if time has stood still.

    Practical Tips

    Being prepared for weather changes is crucial for a good experience. Clothing layers come on and off constantly throughout the day, so wearing multiple layers along with always having a hat is advisable. Naturally, waterproof outer layers and footwear are essential. Wool was also a natural choice because it remains warm even when damp. Wool was present in socks, hats, and base layers close to the skin.

    We prioritised campsites that were sheltered and relatively close to places we wanted to visit. This made it easier to take advantage of weather breaks. All the campsites we visited had friendly owners, making arrival coordination easy. They typically offer similar basic amenities, but especially the larger site in Vestmanna offered good shelter, was central for excursions, and had a comfortable common room. It was also reasonably priced.

    Tunnels save a lot of travel time. Thanks to recent new tunnels, seven of the islands and about 90% of the population are now connected by land. It’s easier than ever to experience a lot with a campervan. The natural scenery on the islands can be quite similar, but specific areas highlight distinct variations, like travelling from the flat landscapes of Sandoy to the dramatic northern parts of Eysturoy. The journey from Tórshavn to the northern islands in the east also offers beautiful encounters with varying atmospheres and views.

    The Faroe Islands have excellent roads, and even with a campervan, it’s easy to drive on small winding roads along the coast, out to tiny villages, as well as on main roads. Allow yourself some nights on the intimate campsites right by the sea, where you can enjoy the ocean air alongside morning coffee, freshly baked croissants from your Omnia oven, and where the ever-changing light provides natural entertainment. Expect simple facilities, firm ground at campsites, and minimal opportunities to purchase items you might suddenly need. However, being prepared makes arriving with your campervan feel liberating, as you typically bring along everything you need. Try, for example, the campsite at Høgni in Æðuvík, located right by the sea.

    There’s a good chance of running into the same fellow campers across different sites and in small villages. The authentic small campsites provide great opportunities for greeting each other and sharing tips and stories. For example, we repeatedly encountered a Chinese campervan that had travelled all the way from Beijing, engaging in interesting conversations each time we met.
    Have a great trip.

    Other Travelogues

  • A Big Surprise

    A Big Surprise

    TRAVELOGUE

    A Big Surprise

    Visiting the Faroe Islands
    With Our Camper

    It was a huge surprise when earlier in the year I won a trip for two to the Faroe Islands with Smyril Line. The journey was the prize in a Facebook contest. Encountering the majestic landscapes and the welcoming people was a dream come true. 

    The adventure began in late June 2022 on board Norröna in the tranquil waters of Hirtshals Port, Denmark, where my travel companion and I were roomed in an elegant luxury cabin. After a leisurely stroll around the ship we could look forward to an exquisite three-course meal at the gourmet restaurant Munkastova. Satiated and happy we walked back to the cabin where we crawled into bed and let the waves gently lull us to sleep. 

    The seawards approach to the Faroe Islands was indescribably beautiful and idyllic. On the first evening we walked along the waterfront from Tórshavn Camping with its sublime view of Nólsoy Island. The next day we loaded up the camper with food and beverages and a journey of freedom and spontaneity could begin. We took it one day at a time and let the weather guide us to our experiences.

    Travelogue by

    Mette and Ole

    Destination

    Faroe Islands

    Vehicle

    Camper

    Time of year

    Summer

    Colourful Houses
    Surrounded by Cliffs

    We visited places like the charming village Gjógv at the tip of the second-largest island in the archipelago, Eysturoy. The cosy hamlet looks like a postcard with its brightly coloured houses surrounded by cliffs. Another picturesque experience was the boat trip to the Vestmanna Bird Cliffs where we weaved in and out between steep looming cliff faces and deep grottoes carved by the surf over millions of years. We were lucky to spot northern fulmars, puffins and other marine birds on the cliff ledges. 

    An Exceptional Nature Experience

    On the very edge of the Faroe Islands lies the village Gásadalur, where we experienced the imposing waterfall Múlafossur, which tumbles straight off the cliffs into the ocean. An exceptional nature experience! Afterwards we had our lunch at Café Gásadalsgarður, which once a year is transformed into a slaughterhouse. The great Faroese food was enjoyed in beautiful surroundings with a view of the western island Mykines. Another place with magical panoramic views across Vágar and Vestmannasund is the mountain Sornfelli. It was the best view from a parking lot ever. But the fog caught up with us before sunset, so we drove along the stunning meandering road down the mountain again before nightfall. 

    An Explosion
    of the Senses

    The Faroe Islands doesn’t merely offer stunning nature, but also impressive architecture, churches and cultural experiences. We visited the ruins of the cathedral in the old bishop’s seat, Kirkjubøur, as well as Christian’s Church in Klaksvík, where you can take in Joakim Skovgaard’s altarpiece, which has travelled from Viborg Cathedral, Denmark, to the National Gallery of Denmark until it found a home in the Faroe Islands. The church’s old baptismal font is a gift from Denmark. 

    We had an entirely unique experience when we drove through the Eysturoy Tunnel, which is an 11-kilometre-long subsea tunnel. Listening to the soundtrack from the tunnel’s opening all the impressions melted into a sensory explosion of music, lighting and dancing figures.

    Culinary Experiences in Tórshavn

    Tórshavn is a town in dazzling colours with charming grass-thatched wooden houses, old warehouses, a marina and the Nordic House, which is a Nordic culture centre beautifully located among rolling green hills. If you would like to explore the culinary options there is a plethora of choice in Tórshavn. One evening we dined at Katrina Christiansen, a cosy Faroese tapas restaurant located in a 17th century timber house. Another evening we ate at Víngarðurin, which doubles as a restaurant and a gallery. In both places the food was top notch. Overall the Fare Islands has a tranquil atmosphere and unique nature, and we experienced the marvellous hospitality everywhere. The crossing back to Denmark was great too. Dead calm seas again and plenty of time to enjoy the amenities, seascapes, food and atmosphere on board. 

    Thank you for making a dream come true!  

    Other Travelogues

  • Smyril Line Charters MV Lista

    Smyril Line Charters MV Lista

    Smyril Line Charters MV Lista

    Perks Smyril

    MV Lista, will commence operations on Monday, 27 January, on the route between Rotterdam, Tórshavn, and Þorlákshöfn.

    MV Lista was built at Odense Staalskibsværft A/S in Denmark in 2011. The vessel is 193 meters long and 26 meters wide.

  • New Port Terminal and Headquarter

    New Port Terminal and Headquarter

    New Port Terminal and Headquarter

    Perks Smyril

    Today marked a significant milestone with the first groundbreaking at Molin in Tórshavn, where Smyril Line and Tórshavn Municipality, together with the Port of Tórshavn, will build a new port terminal and headquarters for P/F Smyril Line.

    This joint project, set to be a state-of-the-art facility at Molin in Tórshavn, will be 8054 square meters in size and includes a passenger terminal with a gangway and check in, expanded warehouse, and office spaces for Smyril Line as well as facilities for customs.

    Articon, Henning Larsen Architects, LBF Consulting Engineers, PBC, and Verk.fo are jointly responsible for the project, which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

  • An Agreement for a New Terminal

    An Agreement for a New Terminal

    An Agreement for a New Terminal

    Perks Smyril

    Smyril Line and Articon have made an agreement to build a terminal. The new terminal will also include a warehouse and offices. The building will be situated on the harbor in Tórshavn.

    Smyril Line needs larger storage and office facilities, and Tórshavnar Havn (Port of Tórshavn) requires a better and larger terminal than the old one. Therefore, a collaboration agreement has been made.

    With this project, Smyril Line and Tórshavnar Havn aim to secure their future operations and provide better services.

    The new terminal, including storage and office spaces, will cover a total area of 7,389 square metres. The project also includes a customs building, a gangway, and check-in areas, bringing the total area to 8,054 square metres.

    The work is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

    The advisors on the project are: Henning Larsen Architects, LBF Consulting Engineers, PBC, and Verk.fo.

  • Changes Ahead for Norröna’s Sailing Schedule

    Changes Ahead for Norröna’s Sailing Schedule

    Changes Ahead for Norröna’s Sailing Schedule

    Perks Smyril

    For many years, Norröna has sailed from the Faroe Islands on Thursday evening and from Hirtshals on Saturday afternoon, but in November 2024, the sailing schedule will change.

    From 8 November 2024, the winter sailing schedule will be as follows:

    • Departure from Tórshavn on Friday evening at 20:00.
    • Arrival in Hirtshals on Sunday at 11:00, followed by departure from Hirtshals at 15:00.
    • Arrival back in Tórshavn on Tuesday morning at 7:30.

    From the end of November to mid-March, there is no sailing to Iceland, but when Norröna resumes its sailings to Iceland in March, the departure from Tórshavn to Iceland will be on Tuesday, and from Seyðisfjörður to the Faroe Islands on Thursday evening.

    In June, the summer sailing schedule will commence, remaining the same as in previous years. Norröna will continue to sail twice a week between Denmark and the Faroe Islands and once a week to Iceland during the summer period.

  • Smyril Line’s 2023 Year in Review

    Smyril Line’s 2023 Year in Review

    Smyril Line’s 2023 Year in Review

    Perks Smyril

    Smyril Line had its annual general meeting at Hotel Hafnia today. At the meeting, the annual report for 2023 was presented. EBITDA for 2023 was 267 million DKK, compared with 201 million DKK in 2022. The profit after tax was 122 million DKK, compared with 77 million DKK in 2022. This is therefore a record year for the company. Smyril Line is paying a 10 million DKK dividend for 2023.

    The number of employees at the Smyril Line group was 595 in 2023. This was about the same as the previous year. The cargo operations were generally successful, and on the passenger side, there was a reasonable increase in demand for Iceland, while the demand for the Faroe Islands decreased slightly in 2023 compared to 2022.

    The largest investment by Smyril Line in 2023 was the cargo ship Glyvursnes, which joined the company in December. Glyvursnes sails the route between Tórshavn, Þórlakshöfn, and Hirtshals. With the purchase of Glyvursnes, Smyril Line can service the entire route network with its own fleet.

    The outlook for 2024 is reasonably good. We expect steady development both within travel and cargo operations. This assessment is based on the current trend and outlook, but factors such as rising fuel prices, duties, interest rate hikes, inflation, and the political situation can change the conditions.

    It is of great importance that Smyril Line continuously renews and future-proofs its fleet. We are pleased that in January this year, we made a contract to build two new cargo ships, which will join the fleet in 2026. Thus, the renewal of the fleet has begun. This means that we can also in the future provide our customers with good service and lead the company towards a greener energy solution.

    Board: The board consists of Tummas Justinussen, Arne Joensen, Helga á Borg, and Jens Meinhard Rasmussen.

    If you have questions, you are welcome to contact Jens Meinhard Rasmussen, CEO, on tel. no. 794910.

  • Smyril Line Signed Contracts for Two RoRo Cargo Ships

    Smyril Line Signed Contracts for Two RoRo Cargo Ships

    Smyril Line Signed Contracts for Two RoRo Cargo Ships

    Perks Smyril

    Smyril Line has signed contracts for two modern and environmentally friendly RoRo cargo ships.

    Smyril Line is pleased to announce that a contract has been made with the CIMC Raffles shipyard in China to build two new cargo ships for the company. These are two identical RoRo ships, measuring 190 meters in length and having 3,300 lane meters for trailers. The new cargo ships will join Smyril Line’s current network, and they are planned to start sailing in 2026. The ships are designed for optimal year-round seaworthiness in the North Atlantic with great emphasize on our crew comforts and wellbeing on board.

    The ships are being designed in close cooperation with Knud E. Hansen, naval architects, who, together with the extensive experience of Smyril Line in the North Atlantic, will ensure that the ships are built for the special route between Europe, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland. The ships will be modern and environmentally friendly, meeting all international emission standards. Compared to the company’s existing fleet, they will emit significantly less per transported ton. At the same time, the ships will be equipped with a battery system and the possibility for shore power, which means that port operations can be conducted without emissions. The ships will also be prepared to sail on e-methanol, which is considered to be the best future choice for green energy at Smyril Line.

    “Now is the time to set ourselves new and bigger goals towards reducing emissions in the North Atlantic,” says Jens Meinhard Rasmussen, CEO of Smyril Line. “The company’s main goal is to ensure safe and reliable transportation of both passengers and cargo, and to connect the periphery of the North Atlantic with the rest of the world. With the new ships, we emphasize futureproofing and leading the company towards a greener energy solution and lead the way for Smyril Line towards the goals for decarbonization in our fleet renewal, supporting the green transition of the shipping industry.

    We will also transport much larger quantities of cargo with less energy consumption than we do now. The energy saving will be at least 60%. This is an important step for us to achieve our goals towards net-zero emissions by 2050, while we can offer our customers an even better service. We have been operating routes in the North Atlantic since 1982. This is not just one of the world’s longest ro-ro and ro-pax routes, but probably also the one with the most challenging sailing conditions. We know from experience that sailing on our route places great demands on both ship and crew, and we have therefore designed the ships with this in mind.”

    Kind regards

    Jens Meinhard Rasmussen, CEO Contact: +298 794910, jmr@smyrilline.fo

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