By
Rebecca Gibson |
Swedish industrial group Stena is to acquire Norwegian shipping company Color Line from ONS Invest II, which is owned by Norwegian industrialist Olav Nils Sunde and his family.
As part of the agreement, Stena’s wholly owned subsidiary Stena Rederi will acquire all shares in Color Group, the parent company of Color Line and its subsidiaries. The transaction is subject to regulatory review and is expected to be completed in the first or second quarter of 2027.
Stena says the acquisition will bring together “two companies with complementary operations in European passenger and freight transport” and create “added value and benefits” for customers.
Color Line will continue operating as a separate business and brand, with local management in Norway and Norwegian-registered ships. Stena intends to use its “industrial expertise, reach and experience” to further develop the business, with a focus on technology and digitalisation, customer service and logistics, and decarbonisation.
“This is a true milestone in Stena Line’s history, further strengthening our ability to be a reliable link between places, people and communities,” said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line. “When we welcome Color Line to the Stena family, I am confident that together we will be able not only to develop our business opportunities but also to contribute to the positive development of communities, including through tourism and more sustainable shipping.”
The acquisition will not affect sailings, bookings or ongoing customer and supplier relationships for either brand.
“Color Line is one of the most recognised and valued brands in our industry, and Stena wants to preserve these strengths while giving us a stronger foundation for the company’s further development and renewal as part of Stena,” said Trond Kleivdal, CEO of Color Line. “Together with our skilled and dedicated employees, we will have the strength to shape the future through quality, efficiency and reliability in every part of our business.”