The Clipper sale to Förde Reederei Seetouristik is not expected to bring changes to the Victoria Clipper lines. In fact, the acquisition is to allow Clipper to open a route between Vancouver and Victoria.
Seattle-based Clipper, best known for running the Victoria Clipper ferry service, has been acquired by Förde Reederei Seetouristik (FRS), a global ferry and shipping company based in Flensburg, Germany.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Clipper, founded in 1986, is a travel and tour company, with three Victoria Clipper vessels serving routes from Seattle to Victoria, B.C., and Seattle to the San Juan Islands. The company also provides transportation, tour and accommodation packages for those traveling in the Pacific Northwest and Canadian southwest. It has served 8 million customers since its founding.
FRS operates 60 vessels in 12 countries and carried more than 7 million passengers and 1.9 million vehicles last year, according to a news release from the companies.
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No changes to the Victoria Clipper lines are expected. The acquisition will allow Clipper to open a route between Vancouver, B.C., and Victoria.
FRS also plans to launch a new ferry service, under the Clipper name, from Florida to Cuba, pending government approval.
Merideth Tall, CEO, chair and founder of Clipper, will remain a minority owner.
No layoffs are planned for Clipper, which employs 150 in Seattle and Victoria, and the company plans to expand its Canadian operations.