Ferries to Juist: closure hits 300 passengers hard!

Ferries to Juist: closure hits 300 passengers hard!

The Juister shipping company Töwerland-Express is currently struggling with an unpleasant situation: four of its fast ferries, which are designed to transport up to 300 passengers, have been temporarily shut down. During a routine inspection by the German professional association, a deficiency in the ship's documents was discovered. These circumstances mean that there is currently only one unflagged ship sailing between Norddeich and the popular East Frisian island of Juist, which severely limits the options for commuters and holidaymakers. NDR reports.

The shipping company boss Jörg Schmidt flagged off four of his five ships at the beginning of the year, which are now registered in Gdansk. This development is particularly annoying for the passengers affected, as there will be a vote on the airport connection on the island on August 3rd. There is currently only one cycle rickshaw that takes commuters and visitors to the island, while planes are scheduled to take off from Norddeich to connect to the island at least four times a day.

News from the ferry fleet

But there is also positive news for the shipping company: From 2025, Töwerland-Express will expand its fleet and put a new fast ferry, the “Töwi”, into operation. This modern ferry will not only offer more space for passengers - 74 in number - but will also be barrier-free and boast amenities such as a toilet and a sundeck. The decision to expand the fleet comes due to ongoing interest from commuters and tourists in fast connections between the mainland and the idyllic island of Juist, which has undergone high-maintenance changes since its founding in 2019. T-Online explains.

In addition to the new ferry, the shipping company also plans to use it for transport purposes for burials at sea and excursions to the nearby seal beds. Such tours would be possible depending on the tide and could further enhance the Töwerland-Express offer.

Prices are changing

The cost of the current crossings is relatively high at 48 euros, but it is expected to fall to 35 euros in the near future. For craftsmen there could even be a price of 30 euros. Such changes would not only be of great benefit to travelers, but could also significantly increase the attractiveness of ferry connections. This will be possible because further development projects are pending in the eastern port of Norddeich, which are likely to have a positive impact on fares.

Overall, the current situation of the Töwerland-Express shipping company shows how important stable transport connections are for commuters and holidaymakers. While the closure of the ferries is unfortunate, the planned expansions and improvements in the coming period could bring light at the end of the tunnel. Statistics portal also offers valuable data for anyone interested who would like to take a closer look at the aspects of shipping traffic.