Smyril Line operates ferry service between Faroes and Newcastle

A special ferry service has brought a group of Faroe Islanders to Tyneside for a pre-Christmas shopping visit.

The 1,000-capacity Norrona docked at North Shields on Tuesday (December 1st), allowing its passengers to spend a day at Newcastle's shopping centres.

Operated by Smyril Line, the vessel is the largest in the Faroe Islands and usually serves the route between Torshavn, the Danish destinations of Hanstholm and Esbjerg or Seyoisfjorour in Iceland.

The special service marks the first time that the Port of Tyne has received a ferry from the Faroes, something that was welcomed by the port's chief operating officer, Steven Harrison.

"This call is significant in recognising the excellent passenger facilities available at the port in addition to fantastic visitor attractions in the north-east," he commented.

"In the coming months we will be marketing these to other ferry operators in an effort to secure more regular services."

Smyril Line was established in 1982 and has offices in a number of northern European countries.

Posted by Mark Robinson