The Greenlandic government has entered into a service contract with Arctic Umiaq Line for passenger transport with the coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk for 2026 and 2027. This gives the aging coastal ship another two years between Qaqortoq and Ilulissat.
“I am pleased that, in cooperation with Arctic Umiaq Line, we have managed to extend the coastal passenger transport with Sarfaq Ittuk all the way until the end of 2027. Sarfaq Ittuk has a historical significance in the country and has for many years ensured cohesion and price-friendly passenger transport for the delight and benefit of Greenlandic society and our visiting tourists,” says Aqqaluaq B. Egede, Naalakkersuisoq for Social Affairs, Labor Market, Housing, Infrastructure and Outer Districts.
With the new service contract, Sarfaq Ittuk will continue its regular sailing schedule with a weekly frequency to Nuuk, Maniitsoq, Kangaamiut, Sisimiut, Aasiaat, Qeqertarsuaq, Ilulissat, Qeqertarsuatsiaat, Paamiut, Arsuk, Qaqortoq and Narsaq, respectively.
“We at Arctic Umiaq Line A/S are pleased that our service contract with the Greenland Self-Government has been extended by two years. This secures the coastal passenger sailing with ‘Sarfaq Ittuk’ for the years 2026 and 2027. The service will be a weekly frequency sailing between Qaqortoq and Ilulissat, as our customers request,” says Taitsianguaq Olsen, Managing Director of Arctic Umiaq Line.
When the new airports in Qaqortoq and Ilulissat open in 2026, traffic in Greenland is expected to change. Once the effect of this is known, the future of the coastal passenger sailing will be decided politically.
Arctic Umiaq Line has previously stated that acquiring a replacement for the 34-year-old coastal ferry would require a service contract with a duration of at least 15 years, and that it would take 2 years from a potential decision to build a new ferry until the ferry is delivered.
Arctic Umiaq Line is a subsidiary of Royal Arctic Line.
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