Danish Vikings lay siege to Newcastle

Norröna

, the Faroe Islands’ largest ferry, was carrying some 1,000 passengers intent upon a Christmas shopping pillage of Newcastle city centre and the Metro Centre. The Smyril Line ship sails between Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, Hanstholm or Esbjerg in Demnark and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland.

The Faroes are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. They form part of Denmark but their closest neighbours are the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland (Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides). The language spoken is Faroese, descended from the Old Norse language spoken in Scandinavia in the Viking Age.

This is the first time the Port of Tyne has received a ferry from the Faroes as well as a first call from the Smyril Line. Since the loss of the Norwegian route in 2008 the Port has been working to resurrect interest in a RoPax service, carrying both foot passengers and vehicular transport between the Tyne and ports in Norway, Sweden, Demark and Iceland.

Steven Harrison, chief operating officer for the Port of Tyne said, ‘The Port has been working to attract new ferry operators to the Tyne in addition to its existing DFDS connections since 2008. The first call from Smyril Line goes some way to achieving that, and is significant in recognising the excellent passenger facilities available at the Port in addition to fantastic visitor attractions in the North East. In the coming months we will be marketing these attractions to other ferry operators in an effort to secure more regular services from the Port of Tyne.’

The NewcastleGateshead Initiative designed a special What’s on Guide for passengers to help them make the most of what the city has to offer, including places to eat, what not to miss, and handy visitor information.

The Port of Tyne gave passengers a festive welcome, serving mulled wine and mince pies as passengers arrived and after they returned.

The Norröna berthed at RoRo3 North Shields and stayed overnight, departing at 1500 yesterday.