2 júní 2026Baldur and Herjólfur sail to the Westman Islands, Særún sails to Flatey in Breiðarfjörður
The ferries will each sail to and from the islands, starting Monday, June 8th. This arrangement will remain in place whilst repairs are made to one of Herjólfur’s engines, which malfunctioned in April. These repairs are estimated to conclude around mid-June.
The ferry Særún will be responsible for maritime transit to Flatey in Breiðarfjörður in the absence of Baldur, guaranteeing that the island’s community is serviced. The temporary transit schedule for Breiðarfjörður will be announced shortly.
Due to considerable demand for transit between the Westman Islands and the mainland over the coming months, it was deemed necessary that the back-up vessel Baldur would assist in ferry transit over the course of repairs. A great deal of people and vehicles are expected to travel to and from the islands due to — among other reasons — sports events during the weekends.
Due to difficult conditions and unfavourable weather, little needs to go wrong in order for Herjólfur’s sailing schedule to be disrupted. Sailing with only one operable engine, the ship can not sail to Landeyjahöfn should wave height exceed 2 m, or if wind speeds exceed 12 m/s — conditions which are considerably common this time of year.
Eyjólfur Ármannsson, Minister of Infrastructure, announced these changes at a meeting open to the public at Heimaey in the islands, which was hosted by the IRCA on Tuesday afternoon. Locals in both the islands and in Breiðafjörður have been consulted regarding the changes stemming from Herjólfur’s engine failure.
Baldur as Herjólfur’s back-up
The Breiðafjörður ferry has for years been Herjólfur’s backup. The IRCA’s contract with Baldur’s operators authorises the ferry to relieve or supplement in Herjólfur’s operations in special circumstances. These circumstances came into being when a severe malfunction occurred in one of Herjólfur’s two main engines; unusually unfavourable weather, alongside a malfunction in a Landeyjahöfn dredger, also contributed further to disruption in ferry operations.
Herjólfur’s engine is considered heavily specialised equipment, requiring it to be transported out of the country for repairs. Baldur will be the sole ferry between the islands and the mainland in the days during which the engine is refitted into Herjólfur once more.
New contractor to take over dredging operations
A significant increase in the quality of Landeyjahöfn dredging operations is expected when the Belgian contractor Jan de Nul starts operating in the fall, utilising considerably more efficient equipment than is currently being operated. Conditions in Landeyjahöfn have been difficult this past winter, with unfavourable weather conditions rendering dredging operations difficult, alongside a malfunction reported in a dredger engaged in the harbour. The IRCA reached an agreement with the Belgian contractor — one of the leading contractors in the dredging field world-wide — until 2029.
The ferry Röst arrives at Sykkishólmur for the first time: September 22nd, 2023.