Holland Norway Lines insolvent

The Dutch shipping company Holland Norway Lines (HNL) filed an application for suspension of payments with the competent court in Groningen on August 30, 2023. Operations on the Emden - Kristiansand route have been suspended. It is unclear whether and when operations will be resumed.

The news came unexpectedly. After all, the shipping company, which was only founded in 2021, had undergone an impressive development so far. Within a very short time, HNL had developed from a start-up to a company with almost 400 employees. The cruise ferry MS Romantika has carried almost 400,000 passengers across the North Sea since it entered service in 2022.

The company's original route was from Eemshaven in the Netherlands to Kristiansand in Norway. However, due to space problems in Eemshaven, the ferry was moved to Emden in June.

FAQ for affected passengers

How do I get from Emden to Kristiansand?

The original route of MS Romantika from Eemshaven to Kristiansand is currently not available. As an alternative, it is possible to take the ferry from Kiel to Oslo or to Hirtshals and from there the ferry to Kristiansand. An overview of all ferries to Norway can be found here: Ferries to Norway

Will the ticket costs be refunded?

It is currently unclear if and when ticket costs will be refunded. Insolvency proceedings in the Netherlands usually mean that an insolvency administrator examines the company's financial situation and sets priorities for payouts. Unfortunately, consumers often come last in such cases.

Are there alternatives to the MS Romantika?

The MS Romantika ticket is not valid for other ships. Passengers should consider other travel options, e.g. ferries from other providers such as Color-Line or Fjord-Line.