One of Norway’s Best-Known Ferry Brands Just Changed Hands

Stena AB, the Swedish shipping group behind Stena Line, announced on October 26 that it will buy Color Line, one of the most recognizable ferry operators in Norway. The deal is made through Stena Rederi AB, a wholly owned subsidiary, which will take all shares in Color Group AS from ONS Invest II AS. That company is owned by Olav Nils Sunde and his family, who held the whole business. The purchase price was not disclosed.

For travelers, the most important detail is what will not change. Stena says Color Line will continue as a separate, independent brand with local management in Norway, and its ships will stay Norwegian-registered. Until the deal closes, sailings, bookings and supplier relationships carry on exactly as before, so nobody holding a ticket for a crossing needs to do anything.

Completion depends on regulatory approval and is expected around the end of the first quarter or during the second quarter of 2027. Competition authorities will likely look closely at overlapping Scandinavian routes, which is why the timeline stretches so far into next year. Neither announcement gave fleet, passenger or revenue figures for the acquired business.

Executives on both sides framed the deal as a good fit. Stena Line chief executive Niclas Mårtensson called it a true milestone in the company’s history, while Color Line chief executive Trond Kleivdal described Color Line as one of the most recognized and valued brands in the industry. For now, the practical message to passengers is continuity, with any changes to routes or onboard offerings only likely to emerge after the deal closes.

Sources: Cruise Industry News, Cruise & Ferry