In 1994 the company celebrated its 100th anniversary – this is what the Chairman of 40 years wrote:
It is now 100 years since Engineer Jacob Turmpy established A/S Bergens Elektriske Færgeselskab (The Bergen Electric Ferry Company Limited). His idea was to start a ferry service across Vågen, the Bergen harbour.
‘Beffen’ the nickname for the ferry, has for all these years been of great importance to the people of Bergen as well as visitors. We estimate the company’s ferries has transported over 40 million passengers over the past 100 years.
Much has changed since the start, within the ferry company as well as in the harbour where she has been operating. First of all, the ferry is no longer electric. The company has to follow the development of times and change, first to gasoline and then diesel fuel.
With the latest concern for the environment, who knows, maybe one day the ferry will be powered by electricity once again. Returning the company name to its original meaning.
Our wish is that the ferry company and ‘Beffen’ shall continue to serve as a link between that east and west side of Vågen.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank both Bergen Kommune (The Bergen municipality) and Bergen Havnevesen (The Bergen Port Authority) for all the cooperation, assistance and invaluable support our company has received over the past 100 years.
Bergen, 1. august, 1994
Axel R. Lien
Chairman of the Board from 1954 to 1994