Hurtigruten will sail Trondheim-Kirkenes along the coast according to most FRP – NRK

Since the end of October, Bodø has suddenly become a turning point for the coastal route, with only two weekly departures.

This put an end to navigation between Bergen and Bodø, indefinitely.

The decision sparked strong reactions across the coast. The Center Party and the Labor Party have also reacted.

– We are quite incomprehensible that the government has accepted that Hurtigruten receives NOK 850 million a year with only two of the 11 ships. The Labor Party demands that at least half of the boats must leave, Labor MP Bjørnar Skjæran said.

Today, the Storting was to examine the matter according to two supposedly representative proposals.

There were three possible outcomes for Hurtigruten:

• Support the government’s proposal to provide two daily boats between Bodø and Kirkenes.
• Labor, Social Democrats and Social Democrats who wanted at least six boats a day on the entire coastal route.
• FRP who wanted three additional ships between Trondheim and Kirkenes, to secure calls every other day.

The FRP announced before the vote that it would not vote for any proposal other than its own. Therefore, no proposal would obtain a majority.

After the proposal of the Labor Party, the Socialist People’s Party and the Socialist People’s Party fell by the possible margin of the button, Sverre Myrli of the Labor Party took the podium.

– So we have reached a situation in which we will not obtain a majority for any proposal, nor the recommendation of the government. The FRP proposal is worse than our proposal, but the worst proposals are better than no proposal.

– The AP proposal had Hurtigruten run off the cliff.

Thus, the FRP proposal obtained a clear majority in the vote.

The Storting is now asking the government to find money and start new negotiations with Hurtigruten.

“Up to 3 additional ships will be deployed between Trondheim and Kirkenes, to secure calls every other day. The Storting asks the government to reserve funds for the coastal route as a measure in relation to the outbreak of covid-19. “

In total, there will be five ships on the Trondheim – Kirkenes section.

– We are in a winter season and in which it is often difficult to get goods transported on the roads. We have received a lot of feedback on solutions and it is important to ensure regularity. So it was difficult to get a sailing pattern from Bergen, says Frp’s Bård Hoksrud.

And add:

– If the goods arrive in Trondheim, it is easier to transport them further south.

Hoksrud says this about why they would not support the Labor Party proposal that would have given many more ships in operation.

– In their proposal, the Labor Party and the People’s Socialist Party did not intend to spend an extra crown beyond the budget that Hurtigruten already has. They then led the Hurtigruten off the cliff.

It is now up to the Minister of Transport and Communications, Knut Arild Hareide (KrF), to assess the Storting’s wishes.

Waiting for more information

Anne Marit Bjørnflaten, director of government contacts at Hurtigruten, says they have always wanted to increase traffic along the coast as soon as possible.

– That is why we are pleased that politicians are so clear that Hurtigruten plays a very important role along the coast, both for passenger and freight traffic.

Due to the pandemic, and especially travel restrictions, there is currently no basis for sailing with more than two ships, says Bjørnflaten.

– We have a contract with the Ministry of Transport, and we have a good and continuous dialogue with them. We are now awaiting further information from the ministry on what this decision will mean in practice for regular traffic along the coast.