Fredrikstad (Norway)

Fredrikstad (port locode NOFRK), aka Frederiksstad, is a port city in Ostfold (southeastern Norway) with population around 80,000.

The city was founded in 1567, and in the second half of the 20th century, it merged with the neighbouring towns Glemmen, Borge, Onsoy, Krakeroy and Rolvsoy. Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg form Norway's 5th largest metro area (combined population over 135,000).

Fredrikstad is located on both banks of the Glomma River, where it meets the Skagerrak Strait (between southeast Norway, southwest Sweden and Denmark's Jutland peninsula). The downtown is on the river's west bank. The Old Town is on the east bank, and is ranked the best preserved fortified town in Northern Europe.

In the past, the town was an important seaport for timber export and later shipbuilding. Its current economy is based on chemical plants and light industries. Fredrikstad Museum (in Old Town) was founed in 1903 and shows the region's and town's history.

Port Fredrikstad is considered as gateway to Oslofjord's waterway (stretching between the lighthouses Torbjornskjaer and Faerder). To visit Fredrikstad, ships must navigate through Hvaler municipality's 833 islands. New ships visiting the port with maiden calls in 2019 are Spirit of Discovery (2019, Saga Cruises) and Seabourn Ovation (2018, Seabourn Cruises).

Fredrikstad cruise terminal