Strike Idles Ferries

Norwegian commuters sat in bigger traffic jams than usual on Monday, after a nationwide ferry strike halted service on routes that usually carry thousands of passengers. Oslo was among the hardest hit, after all ferry service from the suburban Nesodden peninsula was suspended over the weekend. An estimated 10,000 commuters use the Nesodden ferries every day, and many were forced to make the long drive south along the peninsula and then north again to Oslo. Ferry service was also cancelled or severely reduced around the country, and three of the popular Coastal Voyage (Hurtigruten) vessels were also forced to tie up and offload their passengers and cargo. That left hundreds of tourists disappointed and confused. Many were forced to disembark in the northern city of Bodø, and then sent on fast-ferries further north to transfer to Coastal Voyage vessels that were still running.