A flotilla of five restored historic vessels from World War Two will cross the North Sea from Norway to Shetland under the banner of the “Liberation Convoy 2025”, to be in Lerwick for the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on Thursday 8 May 2025.
D/S Hestmanden, M/K Heland, M/K Andholmen, M/K Erkna and M/B Arnefjord will sail in convoy from Bergen, arriving in port on Tuesday 6 May. The ships will be open to the public, offering guided tours, onboard exhibitions, educational programmes for schools, documentary screenings, lectures, displays of maritime and technical history preserved in the vessels and stories of the sailors during the war.
The flotilla will be berthed from Albert Wharf to Alexandra Wharf.
On Thursday 8 May, the anniversary of VE Day will be marked with public commemorative events in Lerwick and Scalloway.
The visit, with a programme of events, will honour the sacrifices of veterans and sailors and serve to educate new generations about the cost of freedom and the importance of preserving peace.
Lerwick Port Authority Chief Executive, Captain Calum Grains, said: “We are honoured to host the convoy and welcome its crews as part of Shetland’s commemoration of this very special anniversary of a time which is an unforgettable feature of the islands’ history.”
Ragnhild Bie, Project Manager and Historian with S/S Hestmanden, the Norwegian War Sailors Museum, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming people on board during our visit to Lerwick as part of the Liberation Convoy.
“We’re eager to share stories of the heroism of everyone involved in the Shetland Bus operations, which shipped resistance fighters to Norway and refugees back to Britain, and of Norwegian war sailors, who helped maintain supplies of food, fuel and weapons to the UK throughout the Second World War.
“Norway remains truly grateful to the people of Shetland and the rest of the UK, and we’re pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate our strong relationship.”
Visit Shetland Islands Council's news page for more information on local celebrations.
Visit Liberation Convoy 2025 website for more details on the historic vessels.