– We tackled this before the turn of the year, and even then it was urgent. Now it is even more urgent. That’s what Kjetil Gaulen of Østfold public transport says. Kjetil Gaulen says they are working to get the ferry in operation by 1 January, but there may be delays. Then the old ferry must be used in the meantime. Photo: Henrik Skolt / news From and including January 2024, the island municipality of Hvaler will get a new electric ferry. It will transport permanent residents, cottagers and tourists between the islands. There’s just one problem: the ferry can’t dock at four out of seven stops. Problems everywhere Hvaler is one of the country’s most popular cottage municipalities. During the busiest weeks in summer, the population in the municipality increases from 4,100 to 40,000. Many people use the public ferry to get to and from the various islands. But the new ferry causes problems at five out of seven stops. At two of the stops, at Nordre Sandøy and Herføl, the quay must be expanded before they can receive the large ferry. At the quay on Søndre Sandøy, the seabed must be dredged. At Herføl, it is now too shallow for the new ferry near the quay. Photo: Lars Håkon Pedersen/news The electric ferry will be stationed at the municipal center in Skjærhalden. Here it is too cramped for a new charging station and transformer on the quay. And to make matters worse: At the fifth stop at Lauer, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate has banned the ferry since the archipelago is further out to sea than the vessel is approved for. Local newspaper Fredriksstad Blad has written about the problem several times. Will cost several millions – We are probably talking about a few million kroner, but we don’t know how many, says Roar Johansen about the cost of adapting quays and harbors for the new ferry. He is assistant port director at Borg havn, which operates the ports in the Hvaler archipelago. When the ferry is delivered this winter, it will be tested. It is then scheduled to carry passengers from 1 January. Photo: NORLED AS It is expected that the new ferry will be delivered in the November/December transition. In other words, time is running out to get it operational by January. – We must apply to both Hvaler municipality and the State Administrator for permission to dredge, for example. The application process alone can take half a year, says Johansen. – It has to be sorted out Borg havn believes it should be possible to adapt all the quays before January, but then the authorities have to play as a team. Mayor Mona Vauger (Ap) says that the municipality is unlikely to stick sticks in the wheels. Mayor of Hvaler municipality, Mona Vauger (Ap) says there must be a ferry between the islands. Photo: Caroline Bergli Tolfsen / news – If we are to have a vibrant island community, we must have that ferry. We have 500 cabins out there too, she says. – I think that this has to be sorted out one way or another and that the boat has to go. Whether it’s an old or a new boat, the ferry will go. Then the new one can come into place when they have cleaned up and got everything in order, Vauger continues. Reserveferge Nordled AS won the tender to operate and build the new ferry last year. Østfold public transport and Viken county council have been responsible for the tender. At Skjærhalden, it is now being discussed where the transformer for the new ferry should be located. Photo: Rainer Prang – One of the reasons why the ferry is so wide is the universal design solutions that have been chosen, says Kjetil Gaulen in Østfold public transport. – Shouldn’t you have ordered a narrower ferry that is adapted to the quays to start with? – It is difficult to answer. But we must remember that the ferry that is being delivered now is designed for operation of the connection. It’s a great ferry. Both Østfold County Council and Borg Harbor are clear that a reserve ferry will be deployed until the new one can be put into use, if necessary.
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New ferry on Hvaler too big for more stops – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
