The Swedish industrial Group Stena AB, owner of ferry operator Stena Line, has entered into an agreement to buy the Norwegian shipping company Color Line. The transaction will bring together two companies with complementary operations in European passenger and freight transport.
Privately owned Stena’s acquisition of Color Line from Norwegian industrialist Olav Nils Sunde and his family will unite two ferry operators with deep roots in Scandinavian maritime traditions.
Following completion, Stena intends for Color Line to continue as a separate, independent business and brand, with local management in Norway and Norwegian-registered ships.
At the same time, Stena will further develop Color Line in sectors such as decarbonization, technology and digitalization, customer service and logistics.
Color Line AS has a fleet portfolio of five ships operating four international ferry routes, calling at seven ports in Norway, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
“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,” said Niclas Mårtensson, chief executive officer of Stena Line.
Stena Line said the signing of the agreement will not affect sailings, bookings or ongoing customer and supplier relationships within Color Line or Stena-owned Stena Line.
Both companies will continue to operate as separate, independent businesses while the transaction awaits regulatory approval.
In accordance with Stena Line, the transaction will be structured as a share purchase agreement under which Stena AB’s wholly owned subsidiary, Stena Rederi AB acquires all shares in Color Group AS from ONS Invest II AS, which is wholly owned by Olav Nils Sunde and his family.
ONS Invest II owns 100% of Color Group, which in turn owns 100% of Color Line and its subsidiaries.
The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the proposed transaction, which is subject to regulatory review.
The proposed transaction is expected to be completed towards the end of the first quarter or during the second quarter of 2027.
