03/03/2025 Schedule and fares extended until January 5, 2026 Good news for all our Christmas holiday travelers! [...] Read more
12/02/2025 PRESS RELEASE: Wagenborg invests millions in fast ferry service to Ameland with building contract for new ‘Wadden Ferry’ Nes, Ameland, 12 February 2025 — Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten and Next Generation Shipyards have signed the contract for the commissioning of a new ‘Wadden Ferry’ for the fast ferry service. This multi-million euro investment in the connection between Ameland and Holwerd was announced last summer and is an important step towards improving the accessibility of Ameland. Director of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten, Jieskje Hollander: “We feel responsible for providing an optimal long-term solution for the lifeline between the island and the shore. That is why we are continuing to develop our services, and this new vessel is a good example.” [...] Read more
08/12/2024 Cancellations fast ferry service Ameland – Holwert v.v – 23 to 25 December 2024 Due to an additional yard visit, the MS Fostaborg will be taken out of service from 23 to 25 December 2024. Unfortunately, no replacement vessel is available. All fast ferry departures Ameland - Holwert v.v. will be cancelled on these days. Passengers who have reserved for the canceled sailings will be contacted directly. We apologize for the inconvenience. [...] Read more
13/11/2024 Reservations for 2025 Good news for passengers to and from Ameland and Schiermonnikoog! From today, we take reservations for 2025! [...] Read more
03/09/2024 Ger van Langen retires as director Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten after 26 years After an impressive career spanning a period of more than 26 years, Ger van Langen resigned as director of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten at the beginning of this month. Ger van Langen started his career at Wagenborg in 1997 and has since become a well-known and trusted face on both Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. His involvement and dedication made him a true islander, who always had an eye for the needs of the island communities. [...] Read more
28/11/2023 Wagenborg introduces online reservation system for ferry services from 1 January 2024 From January 1, 2024, passengers travelling to and from Ameland and Schiermonnikoog will have the option to make online reservations for the ferry service, also if they are travelling on foot or with a bicycle or motorbike. This new service offers passengers the opportunity to plan their crossing in advance and guarantees them a departure and space on board. The reservation system offers more security and flexibility, while helping the shipping company deploy its ships more efficiently, resulting in improved accessibility of the islands. [...] Read more
05/10/2023 PRESS RELEASE: State secretary Heijnen (Infrastructure & Water Management) approves 2024 Transport Plan Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten: “Continued safe passage in the Ameland–Holwerd and Lauwersoog-Schiermonnikoog channels in 2024; current timetable will remain unchanged next year.” [...] Read more
11/09/2023 Changes to the timetable Ameland – Holwerd v.v. from 8 September 2023 Due to the increasing silting of the channel, we are forced to make adjustments to the timetable to ensure that our ships can continue to pass each other safely. [...] Read more
04/09/2023 Changed timetable from 8 September In consultation with the concession provider, the measures as proposed to the State Secretary (18 August) will be implemented as of 8 September 2023. This means that the amended timetable will be implemented until 31 December 2023. [...] Read more
26/07/2023 PRESS RELEASE: Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten is making improvements to the adjusted ferry schedule to Ameland: fewer delays and more departures during the day Based on new gauge reading in the immediate vicinity of the channel, which were not previously available, the Department of Public Works and Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten have searched for locations along the route where vessels can pass each other safely, to enable the deployment of a second ferry. Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten is pleased that these sections have been found, which will make it possible to implement improvements to the adjusted timetable from 1 August. [...] Read more
10/07/2023 Good discussions between Wagenborg and all the parties in The Hague Last week, an important meeting took place in The Hague about the channel and the ferry service which was attended by all parties involved: State Secretary Heijnen, Minister Harbers (both still in function at the time), King’s Commissioner Brok, Mayor Stoel of Ameland, Mayor Van Gent of Schiermonnikoog, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten, Department of Public Works, travellers’ organisation Rover, the consumer platform Waddenveren Oost and enterprise platform Ameland. [...] Read more
27/06/2023 FAQ new timetables from 27 June 2023 Form 27 June our new timetables will take effect. Do you have any questions about this? We have listed the frequently asked questions for you. [...] Read more
23/06/2023 PRESS RELEASE: Shipping company Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten positive about decision cabinet: Ministry understands changes to the Ameland ferry timetable as a result of force majeure and prioritises a safe and navigable channel [...] Read more
07/06/2023 Wagenborg sends a request for advice to local authorities and the consumer platform about the timetable adjustments On 7 June 2023, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten (WPD) sent a request for advice to the local authorities and the consumer platform “Waddenveren Oost” in the context of the proposed structural adjustment of the timetable to/from Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. [...] Read more
01/06/2023 Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten asks minister to agree to a change to the timetable due to insufficiently safe navigation channels Due to the continuous deterioration of the channels to Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, WPD has been confronted with instability and inadequate dimensions of both channels. Nevertheless, the shipping company has managed to continue operating at the limit of what is still responsible for a long time, in order to fulfil its obligations under the concession granted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management as effectively and safely as possible. However, despite the extra dredging capacity that was recently deployed, the channels do not have the agreed minimum width and depth, and one of the fast ferry services was recently stranded, which we considered to be a serious incident. [...] Read more
24/10/2022 PRESS RELEASE: Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten forced to implement one-way traffic in new section of channel The deteriorating waterway to Ameland is increasingly impacting the Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten schedule. Because of the instability and inadequate width between VA7 and VA11, the ferry company is forced to introduce one-way traffic in this new section of the Ameland-Holwerd channel for safety reasons. Making the ferry service and fast ferry service wait on each other will cause additional delays for passengers. [...] Read more
14/07/2022 PRESS RELEASE: Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten starts innovative project in sustainable cargo transport with Urgenda With sustainable mobility becoming more important by the day, and the natural developments of the Eastern Wadden Sea imposing increasing restrictions on ferry services, Wagenborg Passenger Services and Urgenda will jointly investigate new methods and techniques to deliver supplies to the Wadden Islands. Ultimately, this should lead to a truckless system, to be in place by 2024. [...] Read more
14/03/2022 Wagenborg CO2 Compensation Fund makes a contribution to the ‘Ameland in bloei’ project The independent assessment committee of the Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten CO2 Compensation Fund has granted the requested amount of €3,025 to a project proposal submitted by Wildbeheereenheid-Ameland. With their project ‘Ameland in bloei’ (Ameland in bloom), WBE-Ameland wants to improve the biodiversity on the island by creating wildflower fields. These are not only good for biodiversity, but also contribute to a beautiful landscape. [...] Read more
29/11/2021 Car park at Holwerd gets its own EV charging zone The contract between Scopius EV Charging and Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten has been signed, which means a start can be made with the realisation of 40 charging stations for electric vehicles on the Wagenborg Parkeerterreinen parking deck at Holwerd. [...] Read more
12/07/2021 Press release: Stichting Opleidingen Zoute Veren celebrates it's 30th annuversary Nes, 12 July 2021 - On 12 July 1991, the Stichting Opleidingen Zoute Veren was established by the Waddenbootdiensten and the Provinciale Stoombootdiensten in Zeeland. The aim was to raise the level of training of crews and to increase safety awareness. The training courses were then included in the Dutch Sailing Hours and Crew Numbers (Inland Waterways) Act and ratified by the minister. To this day, the boards of these “Zoute Veren” strive for an optimal balance between the knowledge and skill required to manage the complex ships used today and sail back and forth safely with the more than 8 million passengers who use these ferry services every year. [...] Read more
22/06/2021 End of publication estimated time of arrival Twitter From 1 July 2021 the estimated arrival times of our ships will no longer be published on our Twitter accounts @wpd_ameland and @wpd_schier. [...] Read more
06/11/2020 Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten (WPD) expands fast ferry timetable on the route Lauwersoog-Schiermonnikoog (Press release) Starting from 1 January 2021, WPD will expand the existing timetable for the Fast Ferry to and from Schiermonnikoog on working days, offering additional sailings in the mornings. In addition to these sailings, the shipping company is testing the interest in another four extra daily sailings from Monday 9 November 2020 until the end of the year. [...] Read more
25/08/2020 Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten terminates water taxi service (Press release) Starting from 1 September 2020, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten will terminate the water taxi service on the routes Ameland-Holwerd v.v. and Schiermonnikoog-Lauwersoog v.v. [...] Read more
01/07/2020 As a result of relaxations of the coronation measures, passengers no longer have to make a Wagenborg ferry reservation in advance from 2 July onwards (press release) Starting on Wednesday 1 July, the capacity restrictions on public transport have been lifted. All the places on board are available again, to ensure that more people can take the ferry to Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. In addition to the government's decision to lift the capacity restriction, the Veiligheidsregio's (Security Regions) have also lifted the obligation to make reservations for public transport. It is therefore no longer necessary to make a ferry reservation in advance. [...] Read more
22/05/2020 Corona measures force Wagenborg Passenger Services to introduce mandatory reservations (Press release) In the coming period, the Wadden Islands can once again expect to welcome an increasing number of tourists. As a result of the corona measures imposed, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten (WPD) can only accept a maximum of 40% of the normal number of passengers on their ferries, fast ferries and water taxis from 1 June onwards. Until that date, passenger numbers are limited to a 1/3 of the normal maximum capacity. The shipping company wants to keep the islands accessible, regardless of the difficult conditions. Consequently, the company is forced to switch to require the pre-booking of boat tickets for islanders, commuters, tourists, day trippers and other passengers. [...] Read more
06/08/2019 Untill the end of 2022 additional travel time due to road works A7 (Afsluitdijk) If you are travelling northwards via the Afsluitdijk towards Holwerd or Lauwersoog or in the reverse direction, then please allow for 30 minutes additional travel time. Work is taking place to improve the Afsluitdijk. This will continue until the end of 2022. [...] Read more
06/02/2019 New website for Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten Wagenborg Passenger Services has a new website from Wednesday, February 6th. The current websites wpd.nl, wadtaxi.nl and bestellen.wpd.nl are integrated in a clearly arranged new website: www.wpd.nl! [...] Read more
