The Norwegian coastal route continues to lead the way in sustainability innovation for the cruise industry worldwide. Havila Voyages plans to run the entire coastal route on a climate neutral basis this autumn.
Regular readers will know I’m a fan of travel by sea, and of the Norwegian coastal route in particular. But one thing that has always tempered my enthusiasm is the cruise industry’s significant carbon footprint.
That’s why this news from Norway this week caught my attention. Havila’s plan for a 5,000-nautical-mile climate neutral coastal voyage offers a glimpse of how cruising could evolve toward a genuinely sustainable future.
Although Norway’s coastal route is a fancy ferry rather than a traditional cruise, the technology being showcased is directly relevant to the wider industry.
A Climate-Neutral Cruise
The 12-day journey from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, which is planned for as early as this autumn, would cover more than 5,000 nautical miles (about 5,750 regular miles or 9,260 kilometres).
Havila intends to complete the voyage using a combination of biogas and its ships’ large battery packs. Biogas is renewable fuel derived from organic waste, while Havila’s battery packs are among the world’s largest in use on the oceans today.
Wondering what a trip on Norway's coastal route is like? Check out my 12-night voyage on the Havila Polaris in the Norwegian winter.
CEO Bent Martini revealed the ambitious plans during Norway’s Arendalsuka political festival, where businesses and policymakers gather each August to debate the country’s future.
“Right now, we are in the planning phase to test a full round voyage on the coastal route this fall, using biogas in combination with our large battery packs,” he told delegates. “We believe we will succeed.”
If successful, Havila would prove that a coastal cruise ship can complete one of the world’s most iconic itineraries without adding to the industry’s carbon footprint. The company ultimately aims to make its entire Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen service fully emission-free by 2030.
A New Age of Ocean Travel
While Havila is focused on proving that a climate-neutral cruise is possible today, it is not the only company with ties to Norway pushing the boundaries of sustainable maritime travel.
Rival operator Hurtigruten is working on its Sea Zero project, an ambitious plan to launch the world’s first fully zero-emission cruise ship by 2030.
The prototype design features a sleek, energy-efficient hull, retractable sails for wind-assisted propulsion, and large battery packs charged with renewable energy at ports along the coast.
Meanwhile, Viking is investing in hydrogen technology, with its new ship Viking Libra currently under construction in Italy. Due for delivery next year, it is set to become the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship.
Both projects reflect the intense pressure now facing the cruise industry to cut emissions, with ships ranking among the highest-polluting modes of transport per passenger mile.
Innovation Required At Sea
According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, the largest cruise ships emit about 250 grams of carbon dioxide per passenger-kilometre. By comparison, a long-haul flight generates around 80 grams, while national rail services produce just 41 grams.
Governments and climate groups are increasingly using these figures to demand faster innovation from the industry.
For Havila, the Bergen–Kirkenes—Bergen route provides a natural test bed. Its four ships already combine liquefied natural gas (LNG) with large battery packs, enabling emission-free sailing for up to four hours at a time.
The addition of biogas offers a path to climate-neutral operations now, while setting the stage for a full transition to zero emissions later in the decade.
Fuel Security And Cost Control
Havila is also addressing the business side of sustainability by renegotiating its LNG procurement.
A new agreement gives the company flexibility to source around one-third of its fuel directly from an alternative supplier in Northern Norway until 2030, with deliveries from the LNG plant at Melkøya near Hammerfest.
CEO Bent Martini said the deal strengthens the resilience of Havila’s fuel supply while reducing exposure to volatile energy markets.
“We are strengthening the flexibility and resilience of our fuel supply, while ensuring a more predictable and competitive cost base by entering into this new agreement,” he explained.
The two-supplier model ties most of Havila’s LNG costs to the European TTF index while linking a portion to gas oil prices, a strategy designed to reduce the risk of major price swings. Based on current forward prices, the company expects annual fuel costs to fall by more than 10% from late 2025.
Norway’s coastal route has always been about more than getting from A to B. It is a showcase of the country’s maritime know-how, and Havila’s latest plans highlight how innovation, regulation and smart business decisions can work hand in hand.
If the company succeeds with its 5,000-mile climate-neutral voyage, it will not only strengthen its own future on the Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen route but also offer a blueprint for how cruising worldwide can become cleaner and more sustainable.
