The TESO ferry service connects Texel with the rest of the world. The service was set up in 1907 by a group of Texel people who wanted a reliable connection to the mainland. Since then, TESO has been known as a sign of the cooperation and perseverance of the people of Texel.

Tesselaars' initiative

At the time, many Texel residents were unhappy with the services of Alkmaar-based Bosman shipping company, which was responsible for the ferry connection with Den Helder. They complained about the limited number of crossings, the high prices and the quality of the ships. The Tesselaars then decided to take matters into their own hands and jointly financed the establishment of a new ferry service. Everyone on Texel, regardless of their financial situation, was invited to invest by buying shares of 5 or 25 guilders. With an initial capital of more than 75,000 guilders, the new shipping company TESO began its struggle with Bosman. Not long after, in 1909, TESO took over Bosman's business.

Ferries

TESO's ferries bear names that reflect Texel's rich history. Each boat offers a special travel experience linked to the island's nature and heritage. After World War II, Texel became a popular holiday destination, requiring more boats to transport all visitors. TESO, Texel's ferry service, made one of their ships, the Dokter Wagemaker, longer in the 1950s and also added a new ship, the Dageraad, which could accommodate 30 cars.

Even bigger boats

In the 1960s, TESO moved their harbour to 't Horntje, reducing journey times. To tackle the long waiting times in the 1980s, TESO started using larger, two-storey ships, which allowed more cars to come along. From 2005, TESO built even larger and more environmentally friendly ships, such as the new Dokter Wagemaker and the Texelstroom, which can not only carry more cars but are also more comfortable. TESO has ensured that the ferry crossing to Texel remains affordable, even with lower prices than in 2002, so that Texel remains easily accessible for everyone.

Sustainable

TESO has always focused on sustainability and innovation. The 'Texelstroom' is one of the most environmentally friendly ferries, running on a combination of gas and batteries, supported by 462 solar panels that generate energy even while sailing. In addition, the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has significantly reduced nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, contributing to a lower impact on smog formation, the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect. The ships are connected to green shore power from TexelEnergie, which saves fuel and reduces exhaust emissions. With 700 m² of solar panels on the Texelstroom, TESO saves significantly on diesel consumption.

Welcome home

TESO is thus typical of Texel: a community that comes together to face challenges, with respect for nature and a view to the future. It is more than just a ferry service; it is an important part of island life, used regularly by every Tesselaar. And still many of the shares are owned by Tesselaars. You may also have heard the voice on the boat calling out 'And the Tesselaars, welcome home'.

More typical Texel