Editing Color Line (ferry operator)

{{Short description|Norwegian ferry operator}}
{{About|the ferry operator|the civil rights issue|Color line (racism)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name             = Color Line AS
| logo             = [[File:Ferry operator Color Line logo.svg|Color Line logo]]
| type             =
| genre            =
| fate             =
| predecessor      = [[Jahre Line]] and [[Norway Line]]
| foundation       = 1990
| location         = [[Oslo]], [[Norway]]
| locations        =
| area_served      = Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden
| key_people       = Morten Garman, <small>Chairman</small><br />Olav Nils Sunde, <small>President</small>
| services         = Passenger transportation<br />Freight transportation
| revenue          =
| operating_income =
| net_income       =
| aum              =
| assets           =
| equity           =
| owner            =
| num_employees    =
| parent           = [[Color Group]]
| divisions        =
| subsid           =
| homepage         = [http://www.colorline.no www.colorline.no]
| footnotes        =
| intl             =
}}
'''Color Line [[Aksjeselskap|AS]]''' is a [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[Shipping line|shipping company]] that is the largest [[cruiseferry]] line operating on routes to and from [[Norway]]. The company is also one of the leading operators in [[Europe]]. Color Line provides transportation for [[people]] and [[cargo]], [[hotel]] accommodation, [[shopping]], restaurants and [[entertainment]]. The company currently employs 3500 people in four countries.

Color Line's main office is in [[Oslo]], but the company also has Norwegian offices in [[Kristiansand]], [[Sandefjord]] and [[Larvik]], in addition to international offices in [[Kiel]], [[Hirtshals]] and [[Strömstad]].

== History ==
[[File:MS Color Fantasy outbound at Horten.jpg|thumb|{{MS|Color Fantasy}}]]
[[File:ColorMagic Ankunft2 Kiel2007.jpg|thumb|{{MS|Color Magic}}, the largest cruiseferry with cardeck in the world]]
[[File:SuperSpeed 1 (3).jpg|thumb|{{MS|Superspeed 1}} on the route [[Kristiansand]] – [[Hirtshals]]]]
[[File:Color Line i Hirtshals, 2012 ubt.JPG|thumb|Color Line terminal in [[Hirtshals]]]]
Color Line has roots in the ferry business that go back more than 100 years. The company was established in 1990 when two [[Norway|Norwegian]] shipping companies, [[Jahre Line]] and [[Norway Line]] merged.<ref name=ColorHistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.colorline.com/servlets/page?section=4015&item=11542 |title=Color Line's history |accessdate=2008-04-22 |publisher=Color Line |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630223218/http://www.colorline.com/servlets/page?section=4015&item=11542 |archive-date=30 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jahre Line had operated ferries between [[Oslo]] and [[Kiel]] since 1961,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/jahre_line.htm |title=Jahre Line |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729212601/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/jahre_line.htm |archive-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> while Norway Line had operated ferries between [[Bergen]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] since 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/norway_line.htm |title=Norway Line |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> During 1990 Color Line also took over the [[Fred. Olsen Lines]] [[cruiseferry]] operations,<ref name=ColorHistory /> thereby expanding the traffic area of the new company to Norway–[[Denmark]] routes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/olau_britannia_1982.htm |title=M/S ''Olau Britannia'' (1982) |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref>

During the first half of the 1990s Color Line expanded its tonnage by lengthening its existing ships or by acquisition of larger second-hand ships.<ref name=Simplon>{{cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/ColorLine.html |title=Color Line |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |work=Simplon Postcards }}</ref> The company began operating fast ferries between Norway and Denmark during the summer of 1996. Initially the operations were in collaboration with [[SeaContainers]], but were run without them from 1997 onwards.<ref name=Simplon /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/hoverspeed_belgium_1991.htm |title=HSC ''Hoverspeed Belgium'' (1991) |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/hoverspeed_france_1991.htm |title=HSC ''Hoverspeed France'' (1991) |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> In October of the same year Color Line took over the operations of [[Larvik Line]], its competitor in the Norway—Denmark traffic.<ref name=ColorHistory /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/LarvikLine.html |title=Larvik Line |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |work=Simplon Postcards }}</ref> In September 1998 Color Line acquired both the [[Color Hotel Skagen]] and [[Scandi Line]], which operated two ferries on the short routes connecting Norway and Sweden.<ref name=ColorHistory /><ref name=SimplonScandi>{{cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/ScandiLine.html |title=Scandi Line |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |work=Simplon Postcards }}</ref> In the end of 1998 the Norway–United Kingdom operations were sold to [[Fjord Line]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/wellamo_1975.htm |title=M/S ''Wellamo'' (1975) |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> For the 1999 summer season the (former) Scandi Line ships received new Color Scandi Line liveries. They were fully incorporated into the Color Line fleet in 2001.<ref name=SimplonScandi /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/scandi_line.htm |title=Scandi Line |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802175157/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/scandi_line.htm |archive-date=2 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the 2000s Color Line begun investing heavily in new tonnage, with {{MS|Color Fantasy}}, {{MS|Color Magic}}, {{MS|Superspeed 1}} and {{MS|Superspeed 2}} supplanting much of the older tonnage between 2004 and 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/color_line.htm |title=Color Line |accessdate=2008-04-22 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526073527/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/color_line.htm |archive-date=26 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In April 2008 the company announced the closure of the [[Oslo]]—[[Hirtshals]] service from 6 May 2008 onwards.<ref name=ColorRagnhild>{{cite web|url=http://www.colorline.com/servlets/page?section=4015&item=27183 |title=Color Line to focus on its engagement in cruise and transport |accessdate=2008-04-22 |work=Color Line press release |publisher=Color Line |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704155303/http://www.colorline.com/servlets/page?section=4015 |archivedate=4 July 2007 }}</ref>

In January 2017, Color Line announced that it had signed a letter of intent with the [[Ulstein Group|Ulstein Verft]] shipyard to build a new ferry with a hybrid drivetrain for the Sandefjord–Strömstad route, with delivery expected in 2019.<ref name="hybrid">{{cite web | url=http://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=24897:video-color-line-signs-loi-for-worlds-largest-plug-in-hybrid | title=VIDEO: Color Line inks LOI for large plug-in hybrid | publisher=Marine Log | date=25 January 2017 | accessdate=26 January 2017}}</ref> The keel was laid in April 2018 in Poland and the ship was launched in November 2018.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/colorline/videos/264270337496497/ {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>

In November 2022, Color Line announced that ''Color Carrier'' and ''Color Viking'' will end operations.<ref>https://www.colorline.no/om-oss/pressesenter/color-line-effektiviserer-deler-av-den-operative-driften {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref><ref>https://anbord.de/color-line-mustert-faehren-aus/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>

== Ships and routes ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Ship || Built || Entered<br />service || Route || Tonnage<sup>1</sup> || Flag || Notes
|-
| [[MS Color Fantasy|MS ''Color Fantasy'']] ||align="Center" | 2004 ||align="Center" | 2004 || [[Oslo]]–[[Kiel]] ||align="Right" | {{GT|75027}} || {{flag|Norway}} || 
|-
| [[MS Color Magic|MS ''Color Magic'']] ||align="Center" | 2007 ||align="Center" | 2007 || [[Oslo]]–[[Kiel]] ||align="Right" | {{GT|75100}} || {{flag|Norway}} || Largest cruiseferry in the world.
|-
| [[MS Superspeed 1|MS ''Superspeed 1'']] ||align="Center" | 2008 ||align="Center" | 2008 || [[Kristiansand]]–[[Hirtshals]] ||align="Right" | {{GT|33500}} || {{flag|Norway}} ||
|-
| [[MS Superspeed 2|MS ''Superspeed 2'']] ||align="Center" | 2008 ||align="Center" | 2008 || [[Larvik]]–Hirtshals ||align="Right" | {{GT|33500}} || {{flag|Norway}} ||
|-
| [[MS Color Hybrid|MS ''Color Hybrid'']]<ref name="hybrid"/> ||align="center" | 2019 ||align="center" | 2019  || Sandefjord–Strömstad || {{GT|27000}} || {{flag|Norway}} ||
|-
|}

=== Former ships ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Ship || Built || Years in service || Tonnage<sup>1</sup> || Status as of 2020
|-
| [[MS Color Viking|MS ''Color Viking'']] || 1985 || 2000–2022 ||align="Center" | {{GT|19763}} || Sold to [[Seajets]] in 2022 and renamed ''SuperStar II'' in 2023.
|-
| [[MS Kronprins Harald (1986)|MS ''Kronprins Harald'']] || 1987 || 1991–2007 ||align="Center" | {{GT|31122}} || From 2019 ''GNV Allegra'' for [[Grandi Navi Veloci]].
|-
| [[MS Prinsesse Ragnhild|MS ''Prinsesse Ragnhild'']] || 1980 || 1991–2008 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|16,631}} {{GT|35,483}} || From 2008 ''Bahamas Celebration''. Sold for scrap, Alang India, 2015.
|-
| {{MS|Jupiter|1990|6}} || 1973 || 1991–1999 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|11344}} || Scrapped as ''Crown'' in 2008.
|-
| [[MS Skagen|MS ''Skagen'']] || 1975 || 1991–2005 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|12333}} || Scrapped 2011, Alang India.
|-
| ''Venus'' || 1974 || 1991–1994 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|8753}} || From 2002 ''Cesme'' for [[Turkish Marmara Lines]].
|-
| [[MS Christian IV|MS ''Christian IV'']] || 1982 || 1991–2008 ||align="Center" | {{GT|21699}} || From 2018 ''Moby Zaza'' for [[Moby Lines]].
|-
| [[MS Jupiter|MS ''Color Viking'']] || 1975 || 1994–1998 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|11344}} {{GT|20581}} || Sold to [[Royal Group Ltd]], later lost.
|-
| [[MS Color Festival|MS ''Color Festival'']] || 1985 || 1994–2008 ||align="Center" | {{GT|34694}} || From 2008 ''Mega Smeralda'' for [[Corsica Ferries]].
|-
| [[HSC SeaCat Danmark|HSC ''SeaCat Danmark'']] || 1991 || 1996 ||align="Center" | {{GT|3003}} || Sold 2006 as HSC ''Pescara Jet'' for [[SNAV]].
|-
| [[HSC SeaCat Norge|HSC ''SeaCat Norge'']] || 1991 || 1996 ||align="Center" | {{GT|3003}} || Sold 2007 as ''Snaefell'' for [[Isle of Man Steam Packet]].
|-
| ''Octagon 3'' || 1984 || 1996–1997 ||align="Center" | {{GT|10243}} || From 2005 ''Fast Independence'' for [[Independence Shipping]].
|-
| [[MS Peter Wessel|MS ''Peter Wessel'']] || 1981 || 1996–2008 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|14919}} {{GT|29706}} || From 2008 ''GNV Azzurra'' for [[Grandi Navi Veloci]].
|-
| [[HSC Silvia Ana L|HSC ''Silvia Ana L'']] || 1996 || 1997–2007 ||align="Center" | {{GT|7895}} || From 2007 sailing for [[Buquebus]].
|-
| ''Pegasus Two'' || 1997 || 1997–1998 ||align="Center" | {{GT|3971}} || From 2007 HSC ''Queen Nefertiti'' for [[Arab Bridge Maritime]].
|-
| ''Color Trader'' || 1977 || 1998 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|8454}} || Scrapped 2004.
|-
| ''Feederman'' || 1972 || 1998 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|3166}} || From 2003 ''Dorrah Jeddah'' for an unidentified [[Saudi Arabia]]n company.
|-
| ''Sandefjord'' || 1965 || 1999–2000 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|5678}} || Scrapped as ''Star N'' in 2023.
|-
| [[MS Bohus|MS ''Bohus'']] || 1971 || 1999–2019 ||align="Center" | {{GT|9149}} || Sold in 2019 and operating as Ionian Star.
|-
| ''Landi'' || 1976 || 1999 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|9079}} || From 2007 ''Ammari'' for [[Ustica Lines]].
|-
| [[MS European Mariner|MS ''European Mariner'']] || 1978 || 2002 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|1598}} || Sold 2003 to [[P&O Ferries]].
|-  
| ''Gute'' || 1979 || 2003 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|7616}} || From 2007 laid up in [[Visby]], owned by [[Rederi AB Gotland]].
|-
| ''Calibur'' || 1976 || 2003 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|3642}} || From 2007 sailing for [[P&O Ferries]].
|-
| ''Color Traveller'' || 1981 || 2004–2006 ||align="Center" | {{GT|17046}} || From 2007 ''Rostock'' for [[Scandlines]].
|-
| colspan="5" | <sup>1</sup>May be specified in [[gross tonnage]] (GT) or [[gross register tons]] (GRT) if built before 1982.
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Norway|Companies|Transport}}
{{Commons category|Color Line}}
* [http://www.colorline.com/ Color Line official website]

{{Color Line ships}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Color Line (ferry operator)| ]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Agder]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Oslo]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Vestfold]]