Holland Norway Lines

Founding and launch

The idea for the ferry line came from CEO Bart Cunnen, a former Stena Line manager. Together with CFO Patrick America he founded the company in 2020 and won over investors from the port and logistics industry. During the coronavirus pandemic the chance came up to charter the MS Romantika from Tallink. In November 2021 HNL announced the start of operations and sold tens of thousands of tickets within a short time.

Ferry operations from 2022

The first crossing from Eemshaven to Kristiansand ran on 7 April 2022. The overnight ferry sailed three times a week, and the crossing took about 18 hours for the 570-kilometre route. The Romantika was marketed as a "cruise ferry" with restaurants, entertainment and a sauna. In the first year more than 100,000 passengers used the service.

Port problems and the move to Emden

From the autumn of 2022 HNL lost its fixed berth in Eemshaven, because the quay was needed for the offshore wind industry. In early 2023, 16 crossings had to be cancelled. After an interim stop in Cuxhaven, HNL moved permanently to Emden on 1 June 2023.

Insolvency

The financial consequences of the port problems could no longer be absorbed. On 30 August 2023 HNL suspended operations and applied for a suspension of payments. On 4 September 2023 the company was declared bankrupt. The MS Romantika returned to Tallink. Around 400 employees lost their jobs.

The MS Romantika

Built in 2002, the ship is 193 metres long and has 170 cabins for a maximum of 1,500 passengers in liner service. It can also carry just under 350 cars. Before its HNL charter, the Romantika spent almost 20 years on Baltic routes for Tallink.