The direct ferry route between Newcastle, UK, and Bergen, Norway was cancelled 18 years ago. Is it time to restore the ferry connection between Norway and the UK?
Yes, that is what the Newcastle City Council is discussing right now. The Council has recently revealed that it will explore ways to bring the route back into service.
Norway’s glacial fjords, snowy ski slopes, and breathtaking northern lights may soon get just that bit easier for Brits to access. Newcastle council leader Karen Kilgour said they would “explore all ways” to restore the popular journey in a meeting on 21 January.
For over 140 years, passengers could hop aboard a boat in Newcastle and be transported tranquilly across the North Sea, directly to Bergen. The route was closed by its operator (DFDS) in 2008 due to rising oil costs.
However, nothing is confirmed yet, with local officials still needing to find an operator for the potential voyage.
Kilgour said, “We’d love to see the return of the ferry. We know that many people in both cities have fond memories of travelling by sea to visit Newcastle and Bergen.
Is it Time to Restore the Ferry Connection Between Norway and the UK? Tor Kjolberg reporting. Feature image (top): Bryggen in Bergen. Photo: Visit Norway.