Fred Olsen Lines

 

Page 1 - North Sea Ferry Operations

 

 

This page is devoted to postcards of Fred Olsen Lines. It covers the North Sea ferry operations, and earlier cruise services (up to 1987) in the original yellow colour scheme. An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table is a fleet list in chronological order.

 

 

Ships on This Page:-

Balduin - 1975-1999

Bayard (1) - 1975-1987

Bayard (2) - 1990

Black Prince (1) - 1938-41

Black Prince (2) - 1966- (also Venus of Bergen Line)

Black Watch (1) - 1938-41

Black Watch (2) - 1966-1986 (also Jupiter of Bergen Line)

Blenheim (2) - 1951-1968

Blenheim (3) - 1970-1980

Bohemund - 1975-1987

Bolero - 1973-1978, 1981-1991

Bolette - 1984-1988

Borgen - 1975-1991

Borgholm - 1975-84

Bonanza - 1972-1980

Borac - 1987-1999

Boracay - 1987-1998

Brabent (3) - 1926-1954

Braemar (1) - 1952-1975

Braemar (2) - 1985-1990

Bretagne - 1937-1958

Buenavista - 1971-1984

Christian IV - 1968-1984

Skagen - 1968-1975

København - 1968-1970

Skagen - 1968-1975

 

Associated Pages:-

Color Line

DFDS

Discovery Cruises

Fred Olsen Cruises - Fred Olsen Cruises since 1987

Lineas Fred.Olsen - Canary Islands Ferry Services

Tor Line

Cruise Ship Postcards

Ocean Liner Postcards

Simplon Postcards Home Page

 

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Table of Ship Histories

Name	Other names	Built
Bayard (2)	Olau Britannia (1), Christian IV	1982
Black Prince (2)	Venus	1966
Black Watch (2)	Jupiter	1966
Blenheim (3)	Scandinavian Sea, Venus Venture, Discovery I	1970
Bolero	Prince of Fundy II, Scandinavica, Jupiter, Crucero Express, Seminole Express, Magic I	1973
Bolette	Viking 5, The Viking, Sally Express, Boughaz	1974
Braemar (2)	Viking Song, Anna Karenina, Regina Baltica	1980
Christian IV	Pernas Safari, Safari, Lobo Marinho, Lobo des Mares	1968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred Olsen Fleet List

 

 

 

Brabent (3)

(1926-1954)

 

Brabent (3) was built by Akers Mek. Verksted, Oslo, in 1926 for the Fred Olsen Line route Oslo-Antwerp. She returned to this service after the war until sale in e1954, sailing as Suakin and Radwa until scrapped in 1971.

 

 

Postcard of Brabent (3) at Antwerp.

Card supplied by Reto Raeth.

 

 

 

 

 

Bretagne (3)

(1937-1958)

 

Bretagne (3) was built by Akers Mek. Verksted, Oslo, in 1937 for the Fred Olsen Line route Oslo-Antwerp. Following the loss of both 1938 sisters Black Prince (1) and Black Watch (1) during the war, she replaced them on the Oslo-Newcastle from 1945. In 1958 Bretagne (3) was sold to Hellenic Mediterranean Lines, Piraeus, and renamed Massalia. She served on a route Marseille-Genoa-Piraeus-Limassol-Beirut-Port Said-Alexandria-Piraeus-Genoa-Marseille until 1967 when she was laid up. She was scrapped in 1974.

 

Official Hellenic Mediterranean Lines postcard of Massalia, ex-Bretagne

 

 

 

 

 

Black Prince (1)

(1938-41)

 

 

I do not have a postcard of Black Prince (1).

If you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Black Watch (1)

(1938-41)

 

 

I do not have a postcard of Black Watch (1).

If you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Blenheim (2)

(1951-1968)

 

Blenheim was built by Thornycroft & Co. Ltd, Woolston, in 1951 and served with Fred Olsen Line between Oslo-Kristiansand-Newcastle. She was sold to A/S Ugland Rederi in 1968, and converted into the car carrier Cilaos. In 1974 ownership passed to Ocean Car Carriers, and she was scrapped in 1981.

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Blenheim (2).

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Blenheim (2).

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Blenheim (2).

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of the dining saloon on Blenheim (2).

 

 

 

 

 

Braemar (1)

(1952-1975)

 

Braemar was built by Thornycroft & Co. Ltd, Woolston, in 1952 and served with Fred Olsen Line between Oslo-Kristiansand-Newcastle. She was sold to the Peninsular Tourist Shipping Corp (Philipines) in 1975, and renamed Philippine Tourist (later Philippine Tourist I).

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Braemar (1).

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Braemar (1).

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Braemar (1).

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Braemar (1).

 

 

 

 

Black Watch (2)

(1966-86)

 

The Black Watch/Jupiter was ordered jointly by Fred Olsen Line and Bergen Line to operate as the Bergen line Jupiter between Newcastle-Bergen during the summer, and as the cruise ship Black Watch between London and the Canaries in the winter. This joint ownership was set to last 20 years. She was delivered from builders Lübecker Flender Werke in the spring of 1966, initially operating through the summer as Bergen Lines' Jupiter. At the end of the summer, she transferred to the Fred Olsen service from London to Las Palmas and Tenerife (and also Madeira in later years) as the Black Watch (2). This winter service carried large amounts of fruit, in addition to the cruise passengers. She was joined on this service in winter 1966 by sistership Black Prince - at this time wholly owned by Fred Olsen.

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

J.Arthur Dixon postcard L1/SP.2356 of Black Watch, sold on board the ship.

Unusually for Dixon, this is a standard sized postcard.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Black Watch.

 

Postcard of Black Watch.

 

 

 

 

 

From 1975, the summer services were opearted under the joint title of Fred Olsen-Bergen Line.

The funnel retained the Fred Olsen houseflag throughout the year, but the three white bands of Bergen Line were added.

 

 

Photograph of Jupiter, in Fred Olsen-Bergen Line colours.

Photo: © Al Simpson, from the Balduin, 1980.

 

 

 

 

 

In the early 1980s, DFDS was expanding its North Sea operations, and for the summers of 1982-84, they operated the Venus, and sistership Jupiter, under charter on Bergen-Newcastle and Bergen-Amsterdam routes. However, in 1985, the Bergen-Newcastle service was operated by Bergen-based Norway Line, who chartered the Venus. In 1986, the joint ownership agreement between Fred Olsen and Bergen Line came to an end. Jupiter passed to Bergen Line and was soon sold to Norway Line. Black Prince became wholly owned by Fred Olsen, and was completely refitted as a full-time cruise ship, re-entering service in 1987.

 

 

Postcard of the Jupiter, on charter to DFDS, issued by the Newspaper Kiosk, Tyne Commission Quay.

 

 

 

 

 

Black Prince (2)

(1966- )

 

Black Prince (2) was owned solely by Fred Olsen Line at delivery, designed to operate on Fred Olsen Lines' Kristiansand-Harwich and Kristiansand-Amsterdam services during the summer, and with her sistership Black Watch (2) between London and the Canaries in the winter. She was delivered from builders Lübecker Flender Werke in the autumn of 1966. Her sistership had already operated through the summer as Bergen Lines' Jupiter. For the winter on 1966/67, both sisters operated on the Fred Olsen service from London to Las Palmas and Tenerife (and also Madeira in later years). This winter service carried large amounts of fruit, in addition to the cruise passengers.

 

In 1970, Fred Olsen took delivery of the similar but slightly larger ship Blenheim, and Olsen made a joint ownership arrangement with Bergen Line, as with her sistership, so that Black Prince (2) shared the Newcastle-Bergen with route each summer as the Venus, also making some Bergen-Amsterdam trips. Her winter also changed, introducing Rotterdam-Canaries cruises, whilst her place on the London-Canaries cruises was taken by the new Blenheim. The Rotterdam cruises did not carry fruit, so could take a more leisurely route with stops at Lisbon, Casablanca, Madeira, Las Palmas and Tenerife, which took 14 days for the return voyage. This pattern continued until 1975, from which time the summer services were opearted under the joint title of Fred Olsen-Bergen Line. The funnel retained the Fred Olsen houseflag throughout the year, but the three white bands of Bergen Line were added.

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Black Prince. Early editions from 1966-70 carried the text:- Fred Olsen Lines 10000-ton stabilised passenger liner "Black Prince". Winter Service: London-Canary Islands. Summer Service: Harwich-Kristiansand-Amsterdam. Later editions 1970-75 carried the text:- Fred Olsen Lines 10000-ton stabilised passenger liner "Black Prince". Rotterdam-Canary Islands. Sailing in the winter cruise service.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Black Prince, with text:- M/S "Black Prince", 9500 tons 350 passengers. London-Canaries Servic of Fred Olsen Lines.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Black Prince, although issued to cover all four names Black Watch, Black Prince, Jupiter and Venus.

 

 

 

 

 

From 1975 the summer services were opearted under the joint title of Fred Olsen-Bergen Line. The funnel retained the Fred Olsen houseflag throughout the year, but the three white bands of Bergen Line were added.

 

Official Fred Olsen-Bergen Line postcard of the Venus.

 

 

 

 

 

In the early 1980s, DFDS was expanding in the North Sea, and for the summers of 1982-84, they operated the Venus, and sistership Jupiter, under charter on Bergen-Newcastle and Bergen-Amsterdam routes. However, in 1985, the Bergen-Newcastle service was operated by Bergen-based Norway Line, who chartered the Venus. In 1986, the joint ownership agreement between Fred Olsen and Bergen Line came to an end. Jupiter passed to Bergen Line and was soon sold to Norway Line. Black Prince became wholly owned by Fred Olsen, and was completely refitted as a full-time cruise ship, re-entering service in 1987. She operated as one-ship cruise line until 1996, when Fred Olsen added the Black Watch (3). Full details of the later Fred Olsen cruise operations are shown on this link.

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

 

Official DFDS postcard of the Venus, on charter from Fred Olsen-Bergen Line.

 

Official Norway Line postcard of the Venus, on charter from Fred Olsen-Bergen Line.

 

Postcard of the Venus, issued by the Newspaper Kiosk, at Tyne Commission Quay, whilst on charter from Fred Olsen-Bergen Line.

 

Full details of the later Fred Olsen cruise operations are shown on this link.

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

 

 

 

Christian IV

(1968-1984)

 

Christian IV was built by Aalborgs Vaerft A/S, Ålborg, Denmark in 1967 for A/S Kristiansands Dampskipsselskap, Kristiansand, Norway. She entered service between Kristiansand-Hirtshals in 1968. Soon afterwards, Fred Olsen acquired a majority ownership in Kristiansands DS. Christian IV was sold in 1984 to Malaysian owners and renamed Pernas Safari. In 1994 she was sold to Endeavour Shipping SA, Valletta, Malta as the Safari and used on a service as Safari Lines betwen Bari-Korfu-Igoumenitsa. In 1996 she was bought by Porto Santo Line, Madeira, renamed the Lobo Marinho and put into service between Vila Baleira, Porto Santo and Funchal, Madeira. She was replaced by a new built ship in 2003, and was sold to Cabo Verde Line, Praia, Cape Verde Islands, and renamed Lobo des Mares for a service between Mindelo and the island of Praia (one return trip per week).

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

Kristiansands DS postcard of Christian IV.

Fred Olsen postcard of Christian IV.

Fred Olsen postcard of Christian IV.

 

 

 

 

 

Skagen (1968-1975)

Borgholm (1975-84)

 

Skagen was built in Norway in 1958 for for A/S Kristiansands Dampskipsselskap, Kristiansand, Norway. She entered service between Kristiansand-Hirtshals in 1958. In 1968, Fred Olsen acquired a majority ownership in Kristiansands DS, and became Skagen's registered owners. In 1975 Skagen was renamed Borgholm. She was sold in 1984 and later served as Norghol and Pan Trader.

 

 

Kristiansands DS postcard of Skagen.

 

Kristiansands DS postcard of Skagen.

 

Kristiansands DS postcard of Skagen.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Skagen.

 

Photograph as Borgholm.

Photo: Bruce Peter.

Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blenheim (3)

(1970-1980)

 

Blenheim (3) was built in 1970 by Upper Clyde Shipsbuilder Ltd, Clydebank, as a larger version of Black Prince (2) and Black Watch (2). Registered owners were Fred Olsen Ltd, London, and she had a British crew. Between September and May she cruised to the Canary Islands, on a route London-Funchal-Santa Cruz de Tenerife-Las Palmas, whilst during the summer months May-September she ran ferry crossings from Kristiansand to Amsterdam or Harwich. In 1981 Blenheim (3) was sold to Scandinavian World Cruises, Nassau, Bahamas (controlled by DFDS) and renamed Scandinavian Sea. She operated short cruises to Freeport from Port Canaveral and Jacksonville. In 1984 she was burnt out and declared a constructive total loss. The remains for sold "as is" for further use. Registered ownership changed a number of times, and in 1985 she was renamed Venus Venture, whilst rebuilding occurred in Valencia. In 1986 she was sold to Discovery Cruises, and renamed Discovery I, returning to short cruises from Florida.

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Blenheim.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard 081/62 of Blenheim.

Photograph: Giovanni Trimboli.

 

 

 

 

 

København

(1968-1970)

 

København was built in 1966 for Norge-Köpenhamnlinjen, Oslo, for a service Brevik-Fredrikstad-Copenhagen. The internediate port was changed to Göteborg the following year. In 1968 she was sold, becoming 60% owned by Fred Olsen (and 40% by S.D. Simonsen of Oslo). København was chartered to Cie de Navigation Paquet, Marseille, for a Marseille to Casablanca service that summer, returning to Norway for a Oslo-Horten-Brevik-Copenhagen for Fred Olsen in September. Between 1970-73, København was chartered to Larvik-Frederikshavn Line, serving Frederikshavn-Fredrikstad and Frederikshavn-Larvik. In 1973, København was sold to Chilean owners Empresa Maritima del Estado, serving as Presidente Aguirre Cerda, Puerto Montt and Angamos. In 1993, she was bought by Greek owners and renamed Armonia, but was burnt out on her delivery voyage. She was taken to Eleusis Bay, and later scrapped.

København in Fred Olsen service.

Photo: Andreas Wörteler .

 

København in Fred Olsen service.

Photo: Andreas Wörteler .

 

 

 

 

 

Buenavista

(1971-1984)

 

Buenavista was built in Norway for Fred Olsen Lines in 1971, and served on the Kristiansand-Hirtshals route until 1984. She was then sold to Comarit for Tangier-Algeciras services as the Bismillah.

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Buenavista.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Buenavista.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonanza

(1972-1980)

 

Bonanza was built in Norway for Fred Olsen Lines in 1972, and served on the Kristiansand-Hirtshals route, plus regular charters, until 1980. She was then sold to associated company Ferry Gomera for Canary Islands service Los Christianos-San Sebastian as the Benchijigua (2). In 1994 she was renamed Bajamar and transferred to the Tenerife-Agaete route. In 1999 she was chartered to Acor Lines as Chachalote. In 2001 she was sold to Philipines owners as Blessed Mother.

 

Photo: Bruce Peter.

Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.

 

 

 

 

 

Bolero

(1973-1978, 1981-1991)

 

Bolero was built in 1973 for a consortium including Lion Ferry by Dubegion-Normandie S.A. Prairie au doc, Nantes. She is a near sister ship of Southern Ferries' Eagle and the Massalia of Paquet. She operated for Lion Ferry as Prince of Fundy II in the summers of 1973-76 between Portland, Maine, USA and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. During the winters she cruised for Commodore Cruise Lines, in which Lion Ferry also had interests. From 1976-78 she was chartered to Bergen Line on the route Bergen/Stavanger/Kristiansand-Newcastle. From 1978-78 She was chartered to Stena Line as Scandinavica. From 1981-91 operated as Bolero for Fred Olsen on North Sea services. In 1991 Bolero passed to Color Line as the Jupiter, operating between Kristiansand-Hirtshals and Oslo-Hirtshals until 1994. She has since served as the Crucero Express, Seminole Express and Magic I.

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Bolero.

 

Official Fred Olsen-Bergen Line postcard of Bolero.

 

Official Color Line postcard of Bolero.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Bolero and Borgen.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Bolero.

Scan: Mikael Blomberg.

 

Simplon Postcards issue of Bolero entering the River Tyne.

Photo: Hilton Davis.

 

Chantry Classics Postcard of Bolero.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balduin

(1975-1999)

 

Balduin was built for Fred Olsen in 1975. She was chartered to Tor Line in 1978, and from 1981-86. She was purchased by DFDS Tor Line in 1999 and renamed Tor Norvegia. In 2001 she was renamed Tor Neringa and transferred to the Lisco Baltic Service.

 

 

Photograph of Balduin.

Photo: Cees de Bijl.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bayard (1)

(1975-1987)

 

Photograph of Bayard (1).

Photo: Cees de Bijl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bohemund

(1975-1987)

 

Photograph of Bohemund.

Photo: Cees de Bijl

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borgen

(1975-1991)

 

Borgen was built by Aalborgs Vaerft A/S, Ålborg, Denmark in 1975 for Fred Olsen Line, for use between Kristiansand-Hirtshals. In 1991 she passed to Color Line as the Skagen, remaining on the same route. Since 1997 she has also run on routes to Larvik, Frederikshavn and Moss.

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Borgen.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Borgen.

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Borgen.

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Borgen and Bolero (front).

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Borgen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bolette

(1984-1988)

 

Bolette was built as the Viking 5 was the sixth and last of the Meyer-built Papenburg sisters, delivered to Viking Line partner Sally in 1974, for the Stockholm-Helsinki route. From 1981-83 she was used by Sally UK on their Ramsgate-Dunkerque route as The Viking, then from 1983-84 as the Sally Express of Vaasanlaivat/Vasabåtarna. In 1984 she was sold to Fred Olsen, and served as the Bolette until 1988, when she became the Boughaz of COMMARIT, a Fred Olsen subsidiary.

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

This is an official Fred Olsen postcard (Kari cards 081/133) of Bolette.

 

Wadmanns Forlag postcard (no.8742) of Bolette at Hirtshals.

 

Chantry Classics postcard (no.CC/S35) of Bolette at Douglas, Isle of Man.

She was chartered to the Manx Government for one month in 1988.

 

Kissack Classic cards (no. AA1003) of Bolette at Liverpool, 28th May 1988.

She was chartered to the Manx Government for one month in 1988.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Braemar

(Fred Olsen Line: 1985-91)

 

Braemar was built as the Viking Song by Wärtsila Marina Åbo, Finland, in 1980, for Rederi AB Sally, part of the Viking Line consortium. Her sistership was the Viking Saga. She was sold in 1985 to Fred Olsen, and served as Braemar on North Sea services. In 1991 she was chartered to the Baltic Shipping Company to start a service between Kiel and St Petersburg as Anna Karenina. This service was later marketed by Silja Line, but the service ceased in 1996. Anna Karenina was bought by a company jointly owned by Nordström & Thulin and Estline, for use by Estline as Regina Baltica. In 2000 the charter of Regina Baltica transferred to Tallink.

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Braemar.

 

Wadmanns Forlag postcard 9053 of Braemar, at Hirtshals.

 

Chantry Classics postcard CC/S83 of Braemar.

Photo by Paul Morgan.

 

Simplon Postcards release 5.1 of Braemar off Felixstowe.

Photo by Ian Boyle.

 

 

 

 

 

Borac

(1987-1999)

 

Borac was built as Emirates Express in 1978. She also served as Abuja Express and Fosseagle until being charytered by Finnlines as Finneagle in 1985. In 1987 she passed to Fred Olsen as the Borac for services between Norway to Immingham, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and Hamburg. In 1999 Borac was chartered, then purchased by Tor Line as the Tor Humbria. She has since had charters to Mediterranean operators, as well as working on DFDS-Tor Line routes.

 

 

Photo: © Cees De Bijl.

 

Photo: © Patrick Hill.

Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.

 

Photo: © Cees De Bijl.

 

 

 

 

 

Boracay

(1987-1998)

 

Photo: Peter Asklander.

Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.

 

Photo: © Per Jensen.

Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.

 

Photo: © Per Jensen.

Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bayard (2)

(Fred Olsen: 1990)

 

Bayard (2) was built as the Olau Britannia (I) for the Olau Line Sheerness-Vlissingen service in 1982. She was sold to Nordström & Thulin in 1989, along with sister Olau Hollandia (I), for delivery in spring 1990. She was resold to Fred Olsen, and entered serviceas Bayard between Kristiansand and Hirtshals. Fred Olsen passenger ferry services were sold to Color Line in December 1990, and she was renamed Christian IV.

 

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

 

 

Official Fred Olsen postcard of Bayard, serial 1843.

Photo by K.Schröter.

 

Simplon Postcards issue sp1055 of Bayard, released in May 1991.

Photographed Hirtshals, August 1990, by Frank Heine.

 

 

 

 

 

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