After arriving at Sandefjord on the lovely COLOR HYBRID it was time to get on the road again and drive north up to the little Norwegian ferry port of Horten.
The Basto-Fosen Passenger Terminal was quite a contrast with the last port we used
but we were soon on board BASTO V (built in 2017 in Turkey) and climbing the car deck stairs to the passenger accommodation. We could look down at the little VEDEROY (built in 1991 at 147 gross tons) beside us,
and then admire the Sefine Shipyard model of our ship.
We are sailing across the Nordic Skagerrak to the Norwegian ferry port of Moss which will take about half an hour. These Basto-Fosen vessels are diesel powered but the Norwegian Government specifies ever cleaner ferries for the domestic routes each time they are re-tendered. This Horten-Moss route has re-tendered for new more energy-efficient ships, and my friend tells me that the company running it has ordered another sister vessel. The new sister is expected to be fitted with the largest battery so far.
On the way over to Moss we passed the BASTO VI going back to Horten; we also saw a DFDS vessel in the distance, and then BASTO IV. In the port of Moss, Norway, I was surprised to see the cruise ship ARTANIA. She has been on charter since 2011 to Phoenix Reisen GmbH, with a mostly German clientele. She was built in 1984.
We berthed in Moss and were soon off the ship and driving south again towards our hotel for the night at Lervik near Stromstad. We checked into the hotel and our accommodation for the night was to be in land-based cabins, which made a change from cabins at sea. Dinner was very welcome.
Tomorrow after breakfast we have an early drive back south to Gothenburg and then a booking for a lovely Brunch Cruise in Gothenburg's Archipelago on a fascinating old ship. The Hybrid Hop continues.
Ships seen: Oslofjord, Color Hybrid, Basto I, Basto V, Basto VI, Basto IV, Artania, Vederoy, a DFDS vessel,
To be concluded...