The Royal TESO N.V. is a private ferry company operating the only public boat service to and from the Dutch Wadden island of Texel. TESO stands for Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming (in English: Texel's Own Steamboat Company).
History Inhabitants of the island were dissatisfied with price and quality of the ferry service, as operated by the company Alkmaar Packet since 1882. In 1907 some of them formed an association, led by local physician Adriaan Wagemaker, to operate a (hired) ferry of their own. In 1908 the association was changed into a public company and islanders raised 75.000 guilders to build its first ship, which went into service in August that year. A nearly complete boycott of the services of Alkmaar Packet by the locals made that company withdraw in 1909.
3650 privately traded shares are held by 3100 shareholders, mostly residents of Texel. In 2007, TESO celebrated its centennial anniversary, and therefore was conferred the 'Royal' designation on Texel by Queen Beatrix.
Fleet Currently, the TESO operates a fleet of two ships, both able to carry 1750 passengers and up to 300 cars. They cross the Marsdiep, a deep-tide race between Den Helder and Texel in about 20 minutes. Ship Years of service Capacity Texelstroom 2016–present 1,750 passengers, 350 cars Dokter Wagemaker 2005–present 1,750 passengers, 320 cars Schulpengat 1990–2018 1,750 passengers, 242 cars Molengat 1980–2006 1,200 passengers, 190 cars Texelstroom 1966–1991 750 passengers, 70 cars Marsdiep 1964–1991 750 passengers, 70 cars Koningin Wilhelmina 1960–1967 750 passengers, 40 cars De Dageraad 1955–1965 1,000 passengers, 25 cars Dokter Wagemaker 1952–1963 1,000 passengers, 16 cars Zeemeeuw 1947–1965 90 passengers Voorwaarts 1940–1967 300 passengers Dokter Wagemaker 1934–1952 1,000 passengers, 8 cars Marsdiep 1926–1956 600 passengers, 4 cars Ada van Holland 1909–1922 200 passengers De Dageraad 1908–1934 450 passengers, 2 cars
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