Water taxis to Spiekeroog discontinued: New rules make traffic more difficult!

Water taxis to Spiekeroog discontinued: New rules make traffic more difficult!

The East Frisian island of Spiekeroog has to adapt to changes in ferry traffic. The shipping company BootsTouren Spiekeroog (BTS) has announced that it will stop operating its popular water taxis. How NDR reported, new safety regulations and high conversion costs are the main reasons for this decision. The conversion of the three boats is estimated to cost at least 130,000 euros, which poses major financial challenges for the shipping company.

The water taxis offered a flexible transport option for up to ten passengers and were particularly popular with tradesmen and seasonal workers. But in recent months there has been a noticeable decrease in tourists. The Gerdes brothers, who have operated the BTS since 2020, decided against further investments in the fleet in view of the changed general conditions and the low utilization in October. “There was simply nothing there,” the brothers said about the painting costs, which simply could no longer be offset NWZonline determines.

New connection options

In a creative twist, Spiekerooger Shipping is in the process of reorganizing its ferries. From 2026, the “WattnExpress” service is to be expanded slightly so that passenger trips will be supplemented in the future by a fast ferry for up to 50 people. These new ferries could play a compensatory role in transportation and at least partially offset the loss of water taxis.

The cargo ship “Spiekeroog IV”, which originally also carried passengers, will from now on only be used for freight traffic. This decision indicates a restructuring that responds to changing conditions in the shipping industry, which is influenced by stricter safety regulations and changing weather conditions.

An island with a lot of charm

The changes in the ferry service cast a shadow on the otherwise quiet holiday resort of Spiekeroog. The island is particularly known for its green landscape, inviting beaches and unique horse-drawn railway. Despite the operational difficulties, Spiekeroog remains a place for those seeking relaxation. A new section through the Wadden Sea National Park, which was recently opened, also offers fresh experiences for nature lovers and those seeking the peace and quiet of nature.

However, there is also positive news for BTS employees: five permanent employees have now found new jobs, which is improving the business climate in the region somewhat. The coming months will therefore bring both challenges and new opportunities as the ferry landscape around Spiekeroog changes.