Technical Issues Force Suspension of Hinnøy Ferry Service
The Hinnøy ferry, which operates on the Bognes–Lødingen route, experienced a significant technical failure on May 4, 2026. While navigating the waters of Vestfjorden, the ferry was forced to stop due to this fault. As a result, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration canceled the B route service connecting Bognes and Lødingen the following morning. Departures affected included the 09:30 a.m. sailing from Lødingen and the 10:45 sailing from Bognes. Thankfully, by 11:28 a.m., the ferry operator, Torghatten, announced that service would resume. The first departure after the disruption was scheduled for 12:00 p.m. from Lødingen, after which the ferry returned to its regular timetable.
Previous Technical Difficulties Impact Ferry Operations
Prior to this latest incident, the Hinnøy ferry faced another technical issue on October 18, 2025. On that occasion, the ferry was taken out of service until further notice, causing the Bognes–Lødingen route to be suspended. The service was restored on October 20, with the first ferry departure at 09:30 a.m. In addition, the cancellation of the 5:15 p.m. sailing from Lødingen to Bognes led to delays of up to an hour for bus line 100, which connects Narvik/Sortland and Bodø, as reported by Reis Nordland. These recurring technical troubles have raised concerns about the reliability of the ferry service on this vital route.
Electric Passenger Ferry Catches Fire in Norway, Passengers Safely Evacuated
Repairs Completed, Service Resumed
On July 15, 2026, the operations manager for Torghatten’s Vestfjord department reported progress in addressing the Hinnøy’s maneuvering system issues. An external company provided assistance, delivering a new maneuvering system for the ferry. Although repairs commenced, it remained unclear how to prevent similar problems in the future. Due to a lack of available ferries during the busy summer season, no extra ferry was deployed. Travelers were advised to consider alternative routes, such as driving via Narvik, if traffic was heavy. The Hinnøy remained out of service until the morning of July 16, when it successfully resumed its connection to Bognes, with the first departure from Lødingen at 09:00 a.m.
