RoPax13

08 / MARKET REPORT
spend their holidays at the islands. Moritz
Bruns is confident about the safety concept
at hurricane events. “Since we operate fast
ferries, we can always position the ships
away from the storm in time.”
Fleet of LÈxpress Des Illes and „Stavangerfjord“ of Fjord Line
allows more flexibility on high-speed crafts
than under other flags.
For the past 37 years, the Guadeloupe-based
maritime company L’Express
des Îles has been synonymous with
outstanding and reliable service. Headquartered
at the Bergevin ferry terminal in
Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, the company,
initially known as “Antilles Trans Express
(ATE)” began by offering fast ferry services
between the islands of Guadeloupe, Les
Saintes, and Marie Galante—all French
overseas territories. In 1989, it expanded
services to Martinique and Dominica,
followed by St. Lucia in 1994. Today, the
Moritz Bruns, International Divison of FRS
FRS
company operates three high-speed
catamarans in collaboration with its
subsidiary, “Jeans for Freedom,” serving
multiple national and international routes.
Moritz Bruns explained the first step is to
increase the capacity for more expansion
and more capacity for vehicles. FRS will
put into operation a larger catamaran that
can also carry up to 50 vehicles. With a
capacity to accommodate 428 passengers
in meticulously crafted seating arrangements.
Equipped with an advanced motion
damping system, it ensures a tranquil
voyage, thus guaranteeing an unparalleled
travel experience.
Managing director of L’EXPRESS DES
ILES is Onick DERAVEL. He is happy to
create the development of the company.
With the takeover, FRS stands for securing
and further ex-panding jobs. Moritz Bruns
sees potential to expand the network to the
north and south with further international
connections. In addition, the interisland
freight business will be further developed
for any cargo below the seize of containers.
The company has two high seasons
between December and March and in July
and August when many French citizens
FRS and Fjord Line
PREPARING FJORD LINE
FOR THE FUTURE
After the restructuring, Fjord Line is well
positioned for the next few years. The two
cruise ferries “Stavangerfjord” and
“Bergensfjord” got 2023 new dual-fuel
engines, which can be powered by both
liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine
gas oil (MGO). The new engines ensure
greater flexibility in operation as price rise.
In a talk with the CEO of Fjord Line Brian
Thorsted Hansen he pointed out 2023 was
a challenging year with the rebuilt of both
vessels at the same time. They got both
vessel in a very good shape back in time
and the yard made a very good job. The
cruise ferries got also in the yard a
brand-new lounge suitable for domestic
travellers between Bergen and Stavanger.
Passengers will have access to comfortable
seats, simple dining, Wi-Fi, and power
outlets. Here you can relax or work while
enjoying a fantastic sea view, describes
Brian Thorsted Hansen.
With the reopening of the two cruise
ferries, Fjord Line has also adapted its
route concept. The connection between
Hirtshals and Langesund has been discontinued.
The two cruise ferries alternately
connect once a day Hirtshals and
Kristiansand whole year round. In the high
season, the catamaran “Fjord FSTR” with
two or three departures in each direction
is added. Brian Thorsted Hansen described
the change is to get much more frequency
on the shortest route between Denmark
Fojord FSTR in Kristiansand
and Norway. They strengthen their
customer offering and in the high season
Fjord Line offers four departures from
both ports. Fjord Line is the only ferry
operator between Denmark and Norway
with such a frequency! Brian Thorsted
Hansen underlined that they are now a
bridge between Hirtshals and Kristiansand.
The cargo business is back on the old level
and most clients sail with Fjord Line again.
Fjord Line also closed its route between
JPE
RoPax 13 / 05.2024