Travel chaos with Suðuroy replacement ferry

Not all passengers travelling from Tvøroyri to Tórshavn last night were allowed to board replacement ferry Prince due to its limited passenger capacity.

Prince only takes 365 passengers, compared to regular Suðuroy ferry Smyril’s 990.

Prince has a passenger capacity of up to 650, but the Suðuroy route includes a great deal of cargo, which is prioritised over passengers. 

No other replacement ferry was available

When national transport company Strandfaraskip Landsins selected its replacement for regular Suðuroy ferry Smyril, which is undergoing planned repair and maintenance work in Denmark, it decided to prioritise industrial cargo over passengers when the ferry’s 530-tonne capacity was to be divided between passengers and cargo.

Another reason for the replacement ferry’s unfortunate capacity shortage is that, unlike regular ferry Smyril, Prince is not designed for Faroese conditions, according to Strandfaraskip Landsins.

The company says that no other replacement ferry was available at the time, leaving them with no choice but to go for Prince, despite its shortcomings.

Translated by prosa.fo