Havila Voyages Joins EU LOWNOISER Project to Reduce Underwater Noise in Shipping

Norwegian coastal cruise operator Havila Voyages has joined the European LOWNOISER project as an associated partner, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible maritime operations and the protection of marine ecosystems.

As part of the EU-funded initiative, Havila Voyages will provide its vessel MS Havila Capella for full-scale testing along the Norwegian coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes.

 The project focuses on reducing underwater radiated noise generated by ships — an environmental issue increasingly recognized as a threat to marine life.

Advanced hydrophones and vibration sensors will be installed aboard the vessel to measure underwater noise during normal operations. Researchers will compare data collected before and after the installation of new propulsion-related noise reduction technologies developed by Kongsberg Maritime, including optimized bevel gear solutions.

“The future of maritime transport must be built on respect for the oceans we sail and the coastal communities we serve,” said Marianne Vågen Langeland, Chief Operating Officer at Havila Voyages. “By joining the LOWNOISER project and making Havila Capella available for full-scale testing, we want to contribute to a shipping industry that is not only cleaner, but also quieter for marine life.”

Initial measurements were already conducted in March 2026, examining underwater noise levels during operations powered by LNG generators and battery-only propulsion systems. The results are expected to provide valuable insight into how different operational modes influence underwater radiated noise.

While the shipping industry has made major progress in reducing emissions, underwater noise remains a relatively overlooked environmental challenge. Many marine species rely on sound for communication, navigation, feeding and reproduction. Increased ship noise can interfere with these natural processes, particularly in environmentally sensitive coastal waters.

The data collected through the project will help researchers and industry partners better understand how propulsion systems and operational conditions affect underwater noise. The findings are also expected to contribute to future environmental standards and regulations for maritime transport.

The Maritime CleanTech-led LOWNOISER project brings together 15 industry and research partners from across Europe and is funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.

“We are very pleased to welcome Havila Voyages to the project,” said Emilie Dorgeville, Project Coordinator of LOWNOISER at Maritime CleanTech. “Their contribution enables us to collect valuable operational data and assess the effectiveness of mitigation technologies under real-life conditions.”

With the project, the partners share a common ambition: creating a future maritime industry that is not only cleaner, but also significantly quieter for the world’s oceans.