This Norwegian company is planning a 12-day climate neutral cruise This Norwegian company is planning a 12-day climate neutral cruise

The environmental, and social, impact of big mainstream cruise ships has long been criticised, and with good reason – the carbon footprint associated with this type of travel is very high, and there have been protests across the globe in recent years as cities struggle to cope with the sudden influx of tourists brought into harbour for just a few hours.

But this Norwegian company is making waves in the industry, with plans to run a 12-day climate neutral cruise this autumn – and with the wider goal of ensuring its entire fleet is climate neutral.

Havila Voyages is hoping to sail a round voyage on its Coastal Route from Bergen to Kirkenes climate neutrally later this year. To do so, they will make use of battery packs and biogas.

The shipping company’s newest ships have been loaded with some of the world’s largest battery packs ever installed on a passenger ship, and mean that they can sail for up to four hours without noise or emissions. The batteries are charged with hydropower at shore, and this hybrid approach means Havila Voyages’ CO2 emissions are 35% lower than those of comparable ships.

The company hopes to have climate-neutral operations on its coastal route by the end of 2028, with zero-emissions ship by 2030. It has said that improved coastal infrastructure that would allow for more frequent battery charging will help reduce emissions further.

Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages, said, “If Norwegian authorities are serious about their environmental ambitions, the ships on the coastal route can be a beacon for the green transition in shipping and create synergies for other parts of the industry. Technology exists, and the opportunities are there. It’s about the willingness to make the necessary investments.”

The Norwegian Coastal Express covers 2,500 nautical miles, with stops in cities including Ålesund, Trondheim and Tromsø as well as the Lofoten Islands and the North Cape.

More information: havilavoyages.com

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