Fjord1 ASA

Lavik–Oppedal: first electric, now first autonomous

Fjord1 took over Lavik–Oppedal on 1 September 2026, describing it as one of Norway's most important ferry connections and a central artery on the E39 across the Sognefjord. It started with four existing ferries — MF Stavanger and MF Oppedal, kept from the previous operator, plus Fjord1's own MF Lifjord and MF Hjørundfjord. The four new battery ferries were delayed and are being phased in one at a time through the autumn of 2026.

What is planned there goes further than a contract change. Fjord1 states that Lavik–Oppedal will become the world's first autonomous ferry connection, with four new zero-emission ferries. The same stretch of water already carries that kind of history: MF Ampere, the world's first electric car ferry, started service here in February 2015.

Fjord1's framing of the automation is worth quoting because it is unusually specific about the division of labour. Technology handles the simple and predictable tasks; human judgement stays decisive in situations requiring assessment, discretion and handling deviations. The trial period exists to establish which tasks fall on each side of that line, and the answer will shape future crewing arrangements.

Autumn 2026: a suspended fjord and a rebuilt quay

Two changes affect travellers this autumn. Fjord1's own sailings between Geiranger and Hellesylt have been suspended since 4 September 2026: Oslo District Court lifted the injunction that had let its protected ferries MF Veøy and MF Bolsøy keep sailing under a temporary exemption from the Geirangerfjord zero-emission rule. Fjord1 is appealing. Vestlandske's separate Geiranger–Hellesylt sailings are not part of this.

Further north, the Måløy ferry quay is being rebuilt. MF Hornelen is out of service from 13 September 2026 to 12 March 2027, and ferries are being moved between the routes around Måløy while the work lasts. Fjord1 has also announced that it takes over the express boats between Bergen, Selje and Sogn from 1 December.

Sixty-six percent fewer emissions, and 21 million passengers

Fjord1's published figures for 2018 to 2025 are concrete: a 66 percent reduction in emissions and a 47 percent reduction in energy use, while carrying 21 million travellers in 2025. Reducing energy consumption alongside emissions is the harder half of that — it means the ships themselves changed, not just the fuel.

The regional target is firmer still: from November 2027 every ferry connection in Sogn og Fjordane is to run on electricity, and Fjord1 is rebuilding its vessels to meet it.

Where there is no bridge, there are three ferries

The Nordfjord is 106 kilometres long and among the longest fjords in Norway. There is no bridge across it. Instead, three ferry connections tie the communities on either side together — which makes them infrastructure rather than scenery for the people who live there.

The captain of M/F Selje on the Stårheim–Isane crossing puts the pattern plainly: the connection matters most early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when people are getting to work and home again. For commuters between Nordfjordeid, Bremanger and the surrounding area the ferry is not a pretty detour — it is the only option.

M/F Selje itself is an older vessel, built in the traditional style with a rudder and propeller at each end, handling the fjord the old-fashioned way in all weather — including the sudden kastevind, the violent gusts that come down off the surrounding peaks and glaciers with little warning.