On Friday evening, several ferry departures operated by Torghatten between Moss and Horten were canceled due to difficult ice conditions reported by the ferry company on their website. Of the nine scheduled departures from both sides of the fjord, six are currently canceled, with two of the three ferries intended for the evening runs rendered out of service.

According to Simen Storskogen, the operations manager at Torghatten, the onboard seawater filters on the affected vessels have become clogged with snow and slush, which has contributed to the operational difficulties. Given the heavy traffic today, Storskogen acknowledged the unfortunate situation, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue. He mentioned that the ferry company is actively working on resolving the operational problems in hopes that the ferry traffic can resume normal operations later in the evening.

The ferry connection between Horten and Moss is recognized as Norway's most trafficked ferry route, serving as a vital link in national transport connections. It connects the E6 in Østfold with the E18 in Vestfold, and an alternate route is available through the Oslofjord Tunnel, which can accommodate traffic during disruptions. This incident highlights the significance of maintaining operational reliability in critical transport links in Norway, especially during adverse weather conditions.