Residents in Dryna and Midsund demand replacement for aging ferry service

Frustration is building among residents of Dryna and Midsund as the aging ferry service connecting Dryna and Brattvåg faces increasing reliability issues. Emil Sporsheim, a local business leader whose company certifies welders and inspects equipment, voiced concerns about the critical role the ferry plays in maintaining operations. “The ferry must run; we are completely dependent on it,” he stated, highlighting how several cancellations this winter led over 1,200 residents to petition for a replacement of the 45-year-old vessel.

Sporsheim is worried about the potential ramifications of a harsh autumn and winter, declaring, “We have no alternatives. If we want to conduct business, we must use this ferry.” He emphasized the necessity of on-time schedules for local enterprises, particularly for companies like Silver Seafood, which relies on timely transportation to connect with international markets.

Møre and Romsdal County, which contracted the ferry service to Torghatten, is under scrutiny for allowing the continued use of such an old vessel. The county’s transport director, Jesper Wiig, acknowledged the financial strains and said, “This year, we are spending 230 million kroner more on ferry operations than we have available.” Although there is an option in the contract to introduce a younger ferry, budgetary constraints make it unlikely.

As the region braces for challenging months ahead, calls for a solution are mounting, with Torgeir Dahl, deputy chair of the transport committee, insisting on the need for action. “We would never use a 45-year-old bus in public transport; this is serious,” he concluded, stressing the imperative for change.