Hurtigruten Sets Sail on Its First Climate-Neutral Voyage
c: Malin Askevold Helle
After announcing the initiative earlier in October, Hurtigruten’s MS Richard With has now departed Bergen on the company’s first climate-neutral voyage.
The ship set sail on October 29 and is currently charting a course along the legendary Coastal Express route to Kirkenes and back, carrying local passengers, goods, and tourists along the way.
The battery-hybrid ship will complete a 5,000-kilometre round trip using 100% advanced biofuel, reaffirming Hurtigruten’s position as a leader in sustainable travel initiatives along Norway’s coast and across the wider maritime industry.
“This marks a historic moment in Hurtigruten’s more than 130-year legacy along the Norwegian coast. Most importantly, it’s further proof that emission cuts are possible today by using sustainable biodiesel, without the need to invest billions in new ships or infrastructure,” says Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten.
The voyage runs on HVO100, an advanced biofuel delivered by energy company St1. Produced from waste and residual materials like used cooking oil and fat waste, it transforms what would once have been discarded into a valuable source of energy.
“Lifecycle analyses show that this fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared with fossil alternatives,” said Lea Rankinen, Managing Director of St1 Norway, Hurtigruten’s fuel supplier.
“This voyage demonstrates how circular solutions can deliver real emission reductions today. Hurtigruten is showing decisive leadership, and for us at St1, this is about using technology and resources more intelligently. We turn waste into fuel and show that the energy transition is possible now,” said Rankinen.
Over the past four years, Hurtigruten has invested around €100 million in technical upgrades, one of the most extensive environmental upgrade programs of its kind in Europe. MS Richard With is one of the vessels equipped with battery packs and new engines, significantly improving energy efficiency. Furthermore, advanced sewage treatment systems and purification units have reduced NOx emissions by more than 80%, and all ships in the fleet are now fitted with shore power connections.
“Hurtigruten believes that sustainable biofuel is the fastest and most cost-effective way to cut emissions. This is especially true for shipping, where zero-emission technology for larger vessels is still a few years away,” says Felin.
The fuel is produced from raw materials collected by St1’s British subsidiary, Brocklesby, and processed at St1’s biorefinery in Gothenburg. The entire production is ISCC-certified, ensuring compliance with sustainability requirements and full traceability at every stage.