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FRS

Logo: FRS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

German maritime transportation company

FRS GmbH & Co KG (formerly Förde Reederei Seetouristik, also operating internationally as Fast Reliable Seaways), commonly known as FRS, is a German transportation company specializing in passenger ferry and freight transportation. It originally started as a regional passenger ferry operator founded in 1866. Since then, it has expanded in recent years to an international business group and became one of Europe's leading ferry operators.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1990Founded1
  • Industrywater transport1
  • HeadquartersFlensburg1
  • Websitewww.frs.world
  • Legal formGmbH & Co. KG1

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Tanger Jet II 2
Photo: Wilfredor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons5

FRS GmbH & Co KG (formerly Förde Reederei Seetouristik, also operating internationally as Fast Reliable Seaways), commonly known as FRS, is a German transportation company specializing in passenger ferry and freight transportation. It originally started as a regional passenger ferry operator founded in 1866. Since then, it has expanded in recent years to an international business group and became one of Europe's leading ferry operators. FRS provides conventional ferries, as well as high speed ferries. With 70 vessels and approximately 2,000 employees worldwide, FRS transports 7.9 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles per year. The company group has its headquarters in Northern Germany, Flensburg and comprises 17 subsidiaries located in Europe, North Africa, Middle East and North America. Focusing on national and international ferry and catamaran operations, FRS also specializes in Offshore Logistics, Port Management, Crewing and Maritime Consulting.2

Corporate structure

FRS sits at the top of its group. 2 entities, 1 country on record. Switch between the flow chart and the network, and select any entity to see its details.

Built from subsidiaries, stakes and holdings from Wikidata (CC0); major holders from Schedules 13D and 13G. Each entity in the chart links to its source.

What it owns

What FRS reports owning in its annual reports to the SEC: buildings, land and equipment, real estate and locations, investments, intangible assets and inventory, at the end of its latest fiscal year and a year before.

Stakes and holdings (Wikidata)

Things Wikidata records the company as owning, with the share when stated.1

Products and brands

Subsidiaries

Ferry operators

ÆrøXpressen, connecting the island of Ærø to the Danish mainland

Clipper Navigation, Inc., of Seattle, Washington, acquired in 2016

FRS Helgoline, serving Heligoland and the lower Elbe

FRS Syltfähre, connecting the German island of Sylt and the Danish island of Rømø

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National Ferries Company, operating in Oman

Reederei Hiddensee, a subsidiary of Weiße Flotte, serving the island of Hiddensee

Weiße Flotte, with service in the Baltic Sea, as well as electric ferries for passengers in Berlin and Wolfsburg

Other services

Albanian Ferry Terminal Operator, managing ports on the Adriatic Sea

FRS Iberia/Maroc, operating in the Strait of Gibraltar, Canary Islands and Balearic Islands (sold to DFDS in September 2023).

FRS Offshore, an operator of offshore service vessels along the north coast of Germany

FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics, a joint venture with Windcat Workboats

FRS Ship Management, providing crewing and software

Fleet

Fast Ferries (vehicle and passenger)

HSC Ceuta Jet, operated by FRS Iberia S.L. (since 1998)

HSC Algeciras Jet, operated by FRS Iberia S.L. (since 1999)

HSC Tarifa Jet, operated by FRS Iberia S.L. (since 2006)

HSC Hormuz, operated by FRS Management (since 2008)

MS Jawharat Masirah, operated by FRS Management (since 2013)

MS Shannah, operated by FRS Management (since 2013)

HSC Al Hallaniyat, operated by FRS Management (since 2013)

HSC Sawqrah, operated by FRS Management (since 2013)

HSC Masirah 4, operated by FRS Management (since 2013)

Fast Ferries (passengers only)

Taxiboot Pirat, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1993)

Taxiboot Störtebeker, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1993)

HSC San Gwann, operated by FRS-Fast Reliable Seaways, LLC (since 2016)

HSC MV Victoria Clipper V, operated by Clipper Navigation, Inc. (since 2018), prior HSC

HSC MV San Juan Clipper, operated by Clipper Navigation, Inc. (1990-2025), prior HSC

HSC MV Emerald Clipper, operated by Clipper Navigation, Inc. (since 2026)

HSC Halunder Jet, operated by FRS Helgoline GmbH & Co. KG (2003–2017)

HSC Newbuild, operated by FRS Helgoline GmbH & Co. KG (since 2018)

Combi-Ferries / Ro-Pax-Ferries

MS Tanger Express, operated by FRS Iberia S.L. (since 2003, modernized in 2015)

MS Kattegat, operated by FRS Iberia S.L. (since 2013, modernized 2015)

MS Al Andalus Express, operated by FRS Iberia S.L. (since 2016)

MS Miramar Express, operated by FRS Iberia S.L. (since 2016)

Conventional passenger ferries

MS Gellen, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1993)

MS Schaprode, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1993)

MS Insel Hiddensee, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1995)

MS Altefähr, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH (since 1996)

MS Hansestadt Stralsund, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1996)

MS Bültenkieker, operated by Weiße Flote GmbH (since 1996)

MS Hanseblick, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH (since 2009)

Wappen von Breege, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH (since 2016)

MS Kleine Freiheit, operated by FRS HanseFerry (since 2017), prior Seebad Juliusruh, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH (since 2016)

MS Sundevit, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1992)

MS Alfagen, operated by FRS Management (since 2015)

MS Knipan, operated by FRS Management (since 2015)

MS Viggen, operated by FRS Management (since 2015)

MS Ejdern, operated by FRS Management (since 2015)

MS Gudingen, operated by FRS Management (since 2015)

MS Skiftet, operated by FRS Management (since 2015)

Double-ended car ferries

MF RömöExpress|MS RömöExpress (2019–present)

MF SyltExpress|MS SyltExpress (2005–present)

MF Vitte (1992–present)

MF Stahlbrode (1994–present)

MF Glewitz (1994–present)

MF Warnow (1995–present)

MF Breitling (1995–present)

MF Wittow (1996–present)

MF Stralsund (1995–present)

Nordic Duck

Solar Ferries

SF Fährbär 1, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH, used in Berlin (since 2014)

SF Fährbär 2, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH, used in Berlin (since 2014)

SF Fährbär 3, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH, used in Berlin (since 2014)

SF Fährbär 4, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH, used in Berlin (since 2014)

SF Sünje, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH, used in Wolfsburg (since 2015)

SF Aluna, operated by Norddeutsche Binnenreederei GmbH (since 2017/2018)

Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV)

CTV Windcat 28, operated by FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics (FWOL), used for Offshore-Windparks in the German Baltic Sea (since 2012)

CTV Windcat 34, operated by FWOL, used in the German Baltic Sea (since 2014)

CTV Windcat 35, operated by FWOL, used in the German Baltic Sea (since 2014)

CTV Windcat 40, operated by FWOL, used in the German Baltic Sea (since 2016)

Taxiboats

MY Störtebeker, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1993)

MY Pirat, operated by Reederei Hiddensee GmbH (since 1993)

Icebreaker

Swanti, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH

Hovercraft-Boat

Nordic Jet, operated by Nordic Jetline

Rowing boat

Paule III, operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH (since 2015)

Fleet of operated vessels

MS Atlantis (2005–2014; chartered)

HSC Tanger Jet, later Dolphin Jet (2001–2011)

HSC Thundercat 1 (2004–2008)

MS Kloar Kimming (2007; chartered)

HSC Hanse Jet (1996–2004)

HSC Baltic Jet (1997–2004)

HSC Flying Viking (2002–2003)

HSC Cat No. 1 (1999–2006)

MS Wappen von Hamburg (1983–2005)

MS Helgoland (2004–2005)

MS Wilhemlshaven (2004–2005)

MF Vikingland (1979–2007)

MF Westerland (1979–2006)

MS Baltic Star (1975–2000)

MS Dania (1980–2001)

MS Ostsee (1969–1986)

MS Ostsee (1990–1998)

MS Nordsee I (1975–1998)

MS Poseidon (1977–2002)

MS Wappen von Flensburg (1992–1999)

MS Seemöwe (1993–2003)

MS Seemöwe II (1975–2003)

MS Mommark (1969–2003)

MS Fritz Reuter (1990–1999)

MS Mecklenburg (1992–1999)

MS Fehmarn I (1975–1999)

MS Viking (1968–1999)

MS Kollund (1966–1998)

MS Glücksburg (1959–1998)

MS Afrodite (1970–1998)

MS Jürgensby (1968–1998)

MS Baltica I / Habicht II (1977–1995)

MS Mürwik (1937–1945)

MS Mürwik (1959–1990)

MS Wappen von Heiligenhafen (1981–1988)

MS Stadt Flensburg (1971–1987)

MS Meierwik (1963–1987)

MS Reiher II (1979–1986)

MS Albatros (1935–1971)

MS Albatros (1977–1986)

MS Alexandra (1935–1986)

MS Moby Dick / Moby Dick I (1970–1985)

MS Forelle (1935–1984)

MS Danica (1980–1983)

MS Langballigau (1965–1977)

MS Libelle (1935–1976)

MS Habicht (1935–1957)

From Wikipedia’s article on Förde Reederei Seetouristik, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Subsidiaries and ownership

Also owns

From Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1990Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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