FIH Partners advises Polaris, one of the leading private equity companies in the Nordics, on the divestment of Molslinjen, the leading Danish ferry operator creating important connectivity between regions and islands.
Molslinjen was founded in 1966 connecting Jutland and Zealand over the Kattegat route. Today, Molslinjen is Denmark’s largest passenger ferry company transporting more than eight million passengers yearly across nine different routes, including international routes connecting Sweden and Germany with Denmark. Molslinjen is a critical part of Denmark’s domestic infrastructure connecting the largest cities across Denmark and being a key link for islands to the mainland. Further, Molslinjen started operating remote buses in 2017 under the name Kombardo Expressen, which is now connecting 13 population centres across Denmark. The company has +700 employees and is headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark.
During the Polaris ownership, Molslinjen has gained the position as the leading ferry operator in Denmark by winning the right to operate the Bornholm routes and acquiring four additional routes from Færgen. Further, the company has continuously optimised operations, investing in built-for-purpose ferries and ensuring a seamless customer journey for the commuters travelling with Molslinjen every day.
EQT Infrastructure is a leading global private equity company with more than EUR 75 billion in raised capital and over EUR 46 billion in asset under management. EQT have portfolio companies Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America.
With the acquisition, EQT Infrastructure will support Molslinjen’s sustainability agenda through investments in the decarbonisation of the ferry fleet and acceleration of the transition to electrification and renewable fuels and supporting the company in continuing the successful inorganic growth strategy. The acquisition is in line with EQT’s focus on companies with sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.
