Torghatten has launched its new website, featuring new functionality for travel planning, more relevant content, and a significant facelift through a new visual identity.

"There's so much exciting happening at Torghatten, and we're thrilled to finally have a platform to share it with enthusiasm. The primary goal of the new website is to create a better travel experience, and we look forward to hearing how travelers perceive it," says Jeanine Lilleng, Director of Digitalization at Torghatten.

The website was launched in August and will be used by travelers and others throughout the autumn. The Trondheim-based agency Variant is responsible for developing the website.

New travel planner: A simpler and better travel experience

Alongside the launch of a new website, Torghatten is introducing a new travel planner designed to enhance the travel experience.

"With the travel planner, you can plan your journey from door to door. It shows the next available boat and the most efficient route, allowing you to reach your destination as quickly as possible. All ferries and high-speed passenger boats in Norway are included, regardless of the operating company," says Lilleng.

Although travel planners already exist with Entur and Google, Torghatten's new travel planner addresses an unresolved need. While Entur's planner only covers public transportation routes and Google doesn't provide information on the next ferry departure, Torghatten's travel planner is particularly well-suited for travelers with cars.

"We help you plan your journey while considering the actual ferry departure times. If there's a long wait at the dock, it might be better to drive around. We believe there is a significant demand for such a planner. Many people use cars and ferries to get from A to B in their daily lives, and many are currently on road trips in Norway. We hope to make their travel a bit easier," says Lilleng.

Photography project and new visual identity

With the new website, Torghatten has also unveiled a new visual identity. Additionally, a comprehensive photography project has been conducted to document people, vessels, and nature in locations where Torghatten operates throughout Norway.

"The new visual expression aligns well with the journey Torghatten is on: moving swiftly towards a greener and more digital maritime industry. Through new images, we can showcase the great diversity of places, boats, and people at Torghatten, of which we are immensely proud," concludes Lilleng.

New website and travel planner for Torghatten

Torghatten Nord and green hydrogen producer GreenH have formalised a contract comprising a 15-year hydrogen supply agreement for the Lofoten ferries.

Last year, it became clear that the ferries on the Bodø-Moskenes-Værøy-Røst route will be operated by Torghatten Nord and run on green hydrogen. Now, the ferry company has signed an agreement with hydrogen provider GreenH, securing a green hydrogen supply commitment that spans from 2025 to 2040.

"We’ve had a close collaboration with GreenH for a long time. Because this is an extensive and comprehensive contract, coupled with its incorporation of novel technology and an innovative fuel source, we recognised the importance of dedicating ample time to the process. Through a foundation of trust and collaboration, we have developed a robust contract," says Torkild Torkildsen at Torghatten Nord.

Calculations by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) indicate that the collective impact of the hydrogen ferries will result in an annual reduction of 26,500 tons of CO2, comparable to the emissions from approximately 13,000 diesel cars.

At present, there is no significant green and clean hydrogen production on a large scale in Norway. With the confirmation that Torghatten’s Lofoten ferries will be fueling with hydrogen from GreenH's envisioned facility at Langstranda in Bodø, GreenH proceeds with the efforts to establish the facility.

The facility will have a capacity of 6-10 tons of hydrogen per day and it will incorporate infrastructure for the sale and distribution of oxygen, as well as the exchange of heat for the district heating network.

The investment cost of the facility is estimated to amount to approximately NOK 1 billion, generating a direct and indirect employment potential of 10-30 positions. GreenH believes that the planned facility in Bodø will have significant and positive ripple effects for the city, extending beyond the realms of direct investments and job creation.

"Now it's clear that we're going to build one of the largest and first hydrogen facilities in Europe at Langstranda in Bodø. This development is excellent news for green transportation in Northern Norway, carrying substantial ramifications specifically for Bodø. The facility will contribute to building expertise and an industry that is at the forefront internationally, fostering employment prospects and value creation for Bodø", says CEO of GreenH, Morten Solberg Watle.

"We've been collaborating with GreenH for a long time. The industrial establishment harbors tremendous potential for Bodø, both in the short and long term. Hosting the production at Langstranda offers substantial opportunities for positioning Bodø as a global hub for advancing tomorrow's green energy solutions. It also paves the way for forward-looking energy solutions in the new urban area. This establishment stands as a crucial contribution towards achieving our ambitious climate goals", says Mayor of Bodø, Ida Pinnerød.

The hydrogen slated for production, along with the surplus heat and oxygen, can be utilised for purposes beyond ferry operations.

"A hydrogen facility of our scale makes Bodø highly appealing as a testing ground for future green aviation. The substantial oxygen output holds value for the aquaculture industry, and we are planning heat exchange with the district heating network in collaboration with Bodø Energi and Varme", explains Watle.

The ferries are set to run on hydrogen starting from October 2025, and the parties are currently fully engaged in finalising the project.

Torkildsen emphasizes that the development, construction, and operation of the hydrogen ferries represent pioneering work in which both the maritime transport company and GreenH desire – and are entirely dependent on – collaboration and support from local and national authorities.

"These pioneering hydrogen ferries are the first of their kind to refuel directly from an inaugural facility of its kind. It's evident that this will require both support and collaboration, particularly in a scenario of unsettled global economy and a war in Ukraine. There are still some commercial aspects being jointly explored by Torghatten Nord and GreenH", says Torkild Torkildsen.

Read more about Torghatten's sustainability work here. 

Illustration depicting the envisioned GreenH facility at Langstranda in Bodø, with the planned airport in the backdrop.

Torghatten Nord and GreenH have entered into a hydrogen delivery agreement

Launching the World's First Commercial, Emission-Free, Autonomous Passenger Ferry in the Heart of the City. 



MF Estelle will be inaugurated and christened at Norr Mälarstrand in Stockholm on June 8, where the ferry line will start operating regularly.

The ferry company Torghatten and the Norwegian technology company Zeabuz are behind the pioneering mobility concept in Stockholm.

Stein Andre Herigstad-Olsen, CEO of Torghatten AS, expresses his excitement, stating, "Estelle is a sustainable and green pioneer, offering a solution to traffic congestion and inspiring alternative modes of transportation. With its electric, self-driving capabilities and advanced digital security, Estelle sets the stage for future advancements in the industry. We are incredibly proud to be part of this historic moment, launching the world's first commercial, emission-free, electric, autonomous passenger ferry right in the heart of a Scandinavian metropolis."

This remarkable venture aims to create a network of virtual bridges, utilizing waterways to alleviate road congestion and promote affordable, environmentally friendly, and safe urban mobility.

Torghatten, supported by Zeabuz's cutting-edge technology, envisions a future where autonomous ferries, operating under the brand name Zeam (Zero Emission Autonomous Mobility), seamlessly connect neighborhoods and cities worldwide. Zeabuz's contribution includes the development of advanced autonomous technology, ensuring that the ferry operates efficiently and securely.

Erik Dyrkoren, CEO of Zeabuz, shares his vision for the future: "We aim to radically change the way we think about mobility by creating shortcuts in cities, utilizing urban waterways as virtual bridges, enabled by the Zeabuz autonomy solutions. Our collaboration with Torghatten seeks to connect communities affordably and sustainably, not only in Stockholm but in the large number of cities with navigable waters worldwide. The launch of this service marks a significant step towards realizing this vision."

Scalable and adaptable for lean and safe operations

Zeabuz is on a mission to make waterborne mobility sustainable, safe, and profitable. The company provides a suite of adaptable autonomy solutions that offer optimized vessel operations and innovative human-machine cooperation. All Zeabuz’s products are built on flexible and modular system architecture, enabling adaptation to specific segments, vessel types, and operations. Zeabuz was founded in 2019 as a spin-off of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's progressive research centre for autonomous marine operations and systems.

Zeabuz also recently teamed up with Singaporean Yinson Green Tech, planning to boost the safety and efficiency of their new fleet of electric harbour crafts.

“Safety always comes first, and with the full range of autonomy levels, we are confident this will be of great value to maritime operators. The ambition is a leaner operation with smarter technology. In Stockholm, we will prove that this technology is mature and ready”, Smogeli says.

Equipped with state-of-the-art autonomous technology, MF Estelle will initially have an operator on board. However, the ultimate goal is for the ferry to become fully self-driving, monitored from the shore.

MF Estelle's regular operations are scheduled to commence on Monday, June 12. Initially, the ferry will operate four departures per hour, gradually increasing to eight departures every hour for 15 hours a day. This phased approach optimizes energy consumption and travel patterns.

Torghatten and Zeabuz Make History in Stockholm

Torghatten AS has announced the appointment of Jan Volsdal (48) as its new CEO. Volsdal is currently CEO of Nobina Norway, the largest public transport company in the Nordics. He will start no later than 1 October.

Torghatten is a leading private passenger transportation company in Norway, focusing on sea transportation services. The company has a long and proud history, which started with a steamship outside Brønnøysund in northern Norway in 1878.

– Jan Volsdal is an experienced CEO, and perfectly suited to take Torghatten forward. He has a successful track record as a manager in the Norwegian bus market with satisfied clients and impressive results. There are many similarities between the bus market and the ferry and express boat market, such as growing demand for green technology and long-term contracts with regional transport companies and other public sector entities, says Chairman of Torghatten AS, Dag Mejdell.

Torghatten has an annual turnover of around NOK 3 billion and about 1,300 employees. The company is headquartered in Brønnøysund and Trondheim. Torghatten Nord, the group’s largest company, is operated from Tromsø.

As CEO of Nobina Norway, Volsdal worked closely with Ruter, the public transport company in Oslo, to reduce emissions and promote the public’s need for mobility and efficient public transport. Volsdal also has experience from management positions in the postal and logistics companies Posten and Bring as well as brewery company Ringnes. He holds a degree in Industrial Economics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

– Torghatten is a rapidly developing company with a leading role within green shipping in Norway. This is what motivated me to take the job. I have great respect for the company’s legacy , which is a solid foundation on which to develop Torghatten further. Alongside all the talented people, I hope to reinforce the company’s position as the preferred ferry and speedboat operator, says Jan Volsdal.

The applicant pool for the position was very strong, Dag Mejdell, Chairman of Torghatten says.

– I was struck by how many qualified applicants who expressed an interest in the job. Torghatten's purpose and ambition to connect people and society with green infrastructure must have been noticed outside the maritime community. To put it bluntly, I’m sad we can only offer the job to one person. However, I'm sure we've found the right one, says Mejdell.

Today, Torghatten Group includes three ferry and speedboat companies, operating a critical infrastructure for people along the Norwegian coastline: Torghatten Nord, Torghatten Midt and Bastø-Fosen. Torghatten operates a total of 58 ferry and speed boat connections, as well as 84 ferries and speedboats in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, Trøndelag, Vestfold and Telemark, Viken and Vestland.

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