Havila Voyages
History, Review, Itineraries, Ships, Deck Plans, News
Havila Voyages fleet
Review of Havila Voyages
Havila Voyages (website) is a new cruise travel brand and subsidiary fully-owned by the Norwegian company Havila Shipping ASA (Havila Kystruten AS/shipowner, 2003-founded, headquartered in Fosnavag, Norway). As of 2021, Havila Shipping owns and operates 23 marine vessels, including 10x PSV (Platform Supply Vessels, serving offshore oil- and gas platforms), 6x AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels, mainly built for oil rigs), 2x ERRV (Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels, for attending offshore installations), 4x OSCV (Offshore Subsea Construction Vessels, serving the offshore oil and gas industry, as well as wind farms), 4x cruiseferries (for the Norwegian Coastal Express service).
Havila's newbuilds include 5 maritime support vessels and 4 cruise ships (LNG-powered hybrid ferries with alternative battery power). Havila Kystruten's main market is Northern Europe (Baltic/North Sea) and the Asia Pacific region.
- The OSCVs are equipped with larger cranes, helipads, dynamic positioning systems.
- The North Sea-based AHTS are with power output between 9-18,6 MW (12K-25000 HP) each.
- The PSVs serve offshore installations, providing them with goods, water, drilling mud, chemicals, other materials.
- The ERRVs are rescue and recovery boats providing security services for oil installations (oil spills, fire protection, etc).
- Some vessels are also available for bareboat chartering (hiring without administration or technical maintenance).
All Havila vessels are Norway-flagged and most are registered in Bergen.
Havila Kystruten is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (since 2005) and is currently led by the company's founders - the brothers Njal Saevik (Havila Shipping ASA's CEO) and Per Saevik (Havila Holding's Chairman).
Havila Kystruten AS' CEO is Bent Martini. Havila Voyages' CEO is Arild Myrvoll.
Havila Voayges' competitor on the Norwegian cruiseferry market is Hurtigruten.
The HAVILA cruise brand
Originally, Havila Voyages (trademarked brand) planned to start Norwegian coastal operations in January 2021. However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, the service was rescheduled to commence in 2021-Q2 (by May). Eventually, the brand's inauguration was postponed for 2021-Q4, with the Maiden Voyage (Havila Capella from Bergen) scheduled for December 1st.
On March 23, 2018, Norway's Ministry of Transportation and Communications split the "Norwegian Coastal Express" ferry service funding between Hurtigruten and Havila Kystruten.
The Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen route and its 34 ports are served year-round by a total of 11x vessels, of which 7x Hurtigruten and 4x Havila newbuilds. Hurtigruten operates this service since 1893.
Norwegian Government's annual subsidy for this regularly scheduled ferry service is NOK 788 million (~EUR 77M / ~USD 92M). The Norwegian Government's ferry contracts are fixed (for a 10-year period) and secure a minimum annual revenue of NOK 285 million (~EUR 28M/ ~USD 33M).
In late-December 2018 was announced that Enova (Norwegian government agency) provides NOK 88 million (USD 10,1 M) as financial support for Havila Kystruten's newbuilds (or NOK 22M per vessel).
Havila Shipping ordered 4x new cruiseferries (Havyard 923-class/sisterships) designed specifically for the "Norwegian Coastal Express" service.
- The ships are LNG-powered hybrids (alternative battery power) and with passenger capacity 640 (179 cabins).
- The vessels were designed by "Havyard Ship Technology AS" (subsidiary of Havyard Group ASA - Norwegian maritime company established in 2000, owns Loland Verft in Leirvik Norway).
- The shipbuilding cost was ~EUR 200 million (~USD 230M) per unit.
- Shipbuilders were Barreras Shipyard in Vigo Spain (for Capella and Castor) and Tersan Shipyard in Yalova Turkey (for Polaris and Pollux).
Rolls-Royce Marine was contracted to provide newbuilds' power plants and propulsion units. The equipment includes 2x dual-fuel engines, 4x Bergen gas engines (two 9-cylinder, plus two 6-cylinder, all IMO Tier 3 compliant), 2x LNG tanks (with bunkering systems), 2x LNG fuel systems, control and safety systems. Ship's propulsion is also Rolls-Royce manufactured and includes 2x Azipull thrusters (with Permanent Magnet drive motors), stabilizers (Neptune 200), tunnel thrusters (allowing slimmer hull shape, better energy efficiency low noise-vibration levels). LNG fuel systems are separate, custom-designed, and serve both machine rooms (front and aft).
In late-February 2019, Havila Shipping contracted Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine to install its EMS (Energy Management System) on 9x Havila vessels, including 4x AHTS (anchor-handling tug supply), 4x PSV (platform supply) and 1x RRV (rescue and recovery). Rolls-Royce's EMS (introduced in November 2017) allows ship's crew to monitor in real-time fuel consumption and make changes to reduce it, resulting in up to 20% annual fuel savings.
Also in late-February 2019, the Candian stock-listed company Corvus Energy (headquartered in Richmond, BC) signed a contract with NES (Norwegian Electric Systems) for delivery and installation of the world's largest ship battery-package ESS (Energy Storage System / air-cooled system with patented single-cell thermal isolation). Orca ESS (battery pack) has capacity 6100 kW per hour - or double the capacity of the currently largest battery-packed (electric) ferries. battery power is combined with hybrid gas-electric propulsion. The powerplant consists of 4x LNG-powered marine engines (per vessel) with combined output 7,76 MW.
In early-April 2019, Havila Kystruten and the Norwegian company Kongsberg Maritime signed a 10-year contract (NOK 150 million / USD 17,6M) for "Power-by-the-Hour" service for the new vessels. This is a new Kongsberg-provided service introduced in 2017 with NorLines (Norwegian coastal shipping and logistics company).
- By this agreement, the shipowner Havila handed to Kongsberg (vessel equipment's supplier) all the responsibility for service planning and performance.
- The shipowner pays a fixed charge per hour of operation per vessel.
- Kongsberg monitors in real-time the equipment from land-based control centers (collecting data from shipboard sensors) where engineers can remotely access the equipment and carry out services or send out service staff to assist.
- The "Power-by-the-Hour" package also includes the ship's planned drydock-wetdock maintenance.
- Kongsberg's equipment package included propulsion system (Azipull thrusters with Permanent Magnet drive motor), tunnel thrusters, stabilizers, and LNG systems (including four Rolls Royce-made Bergen C26-33L gas engines).
In July 2021, Havila Kystruten successfully completed a private placement of new shares (17,65 to 19,65 million) at NOK 25,50 (EUR 2,5 / USD 2,97) for gross proceeds NOK 500 million (EUR 48,97M / USD 58,16M).
- The July 2021 private stock shares sale was managed by two Oslo-based brokerage and investment firms (Fearnley Securities, SpareBank 1 Markets).
- Of all the NOK 500M shares, NOK 232,5M were purchased by 5 investors - Paladin Asset Management (NOK 82,5M/3,23M stocks), Nordea Investment Management (NOK 50M/1,96M stocks), Farvatn Capital (NOK 50M/1,96M stocks), Verdipapirfondet Fondsfinans Norge (NOK 25M/0,98M Stocks), MP Pensjon PK (NOK 25M/0,98M stocks).
- Havila Kystruten entered into customary arrangements with these investors to restrict their ability to issue, sell or dispose of the shares (for 12 months/through July 2022) without the prior written consent of the company's managers.
- Havila Kystruten remains privately-owned, with the majority stakeholder (through Havila Holding) being the Saevik family.
Since July 28, 2021, Havila is listed on Euronext NV (operating the stock exchanges in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Dublin, Lisbon, Oslo). The company also planned for listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021
Despite the global Coronavirus crisis, Hurtigruten didn't suspend its Norwegian Coastal fleet's passenger shipping (ferry) operations but boarding was allowed only for passengers who haven't been outside Norway at least 14 days prior departure.
In mid-October 2020 was canceled the 2020-2021 Antarctica cruise program (October-March) which affected Hurtigruten Expedition's ships Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen, Spitsbergen, Fram. Hurtigruten currently plans to restart Norwegian Coastal cruises with all its 7 ships in July 2021.
On May 11, 2020, Hurtigruten announced plans to "gradually restart" the Norwegian ferry services (on the Norwegian Coastal Express Route / Bergen-Kirkenes) in mid-June. The first was scheduled for MS Otto Sverdrup (fka Finnmarken) leaving on June 16th out of Bergen. With Otto Sverdrup, Hurtigruten became the world's first cruise company to resume operations. Two cruiseferries (Richard With, Vesteralen) remained operational but passenger-free, transporting only goods (including medical supplies and provisions) to Norwegian destinations affected by travel restrictions.
Itinerary of Havila Voyages
Havila Voyages operates four same-designed cruiseferries - the sisterships Havila Capella, Havila Castor, Havila Polaris, and Havila Pollux.
The following itinerary map shows the Norwegian Coastal Express (ferry route) operated by Hurtigruten and Havila Kystruten (since 2021).
Next table shows the 11-night / 12-day "Classic Norwegian Coastal Voyage" roundtrip from Bergen.
- The 12-day "Round Voyage"/roundtrip prices (in 2021) started at ~GBP 950 (~EUR 1120 / USD 1280) per person with double occupancy.
- The 7-day "Voyage North" itinerary (Bergen to Kirkenes) prices started at ~GBP 660 pp (~EUR 780 / USD 890).
- The 6-day "Voyage South" itinerary (Kirkenes to Bergen) prices started at ~GBP 570 pp (~EUR 680 / USD 770).
Date / Time | Port | Land Tours/Excursions |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Bergen (embarkation) |
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DAY 2 | Floro, Maloy (Vagsoy Island), Torvik (Leinoya Island), Alesund, Geiranger/Hjorundfjorden, Alesund, Molde | - |
Day 2 | Alesund (Morning), Geiranger (tender port) |
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Day 3 | Kristiansund, Trondheim (Morning), Rovik |
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DAY 4 | Bronnoysund, Sandnessjoen, Nesna, Ornes, Bodo, Stamsund, Svolvaer | - |
Day 4 | Ornes (Morning) |
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Day 4 | Bodo (Afternoon) |
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Day 4 | Stamsund, Vestvagoy Island, Lofoten |
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Day 4 | Svolvaer, Austvagoya Island, Lofoten |
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DAY 5 | Stokmarknes (Hadseloya Island), Sortland (Langoya Island), Risoyhamn (Andoya Island), Harstad (Hinnoya Island, Lofoten), Finnsnes (access to Senja island), Tromso, Skjervoy | - |
Day 5 | Tromso (Morning) |
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DAY 6 | Hammerfest, Havoysund (Havoya Island), Honningsvag, Kjollefjord, Mehamn, Berlevag | - |
Day 6 | Honningsvag, Mageroya Island (Morning) |
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Day 6 | Kjollefjord (Afternoon) |
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DAY 7 | Batsfjord, Vardo (Vardoya Island), Vadso, Kirkenes | - |
Day 7 | Kirkenes |
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DAY 8 | Mehamn, Kjollefjord, Honningsvag, Havoysund, Hammerfest, Oksfjord, Skjervoy, Tromso | as listed per port above |
DAY 9 | Finnsnes/Senja Island, Harstad, Risoyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvaer, Stamsund | as listed per port above |
DAY 10 | Bodo, Ornes, Sandnessjoen, Bronnoysund, Rorvik | as listed per port above |
DAY 11 | Trondheim, Kristiansund, Molde, Alesund | as listed per port above |
Day 12 | Torvik, Maloy, Floro, Bergen (debarkation) | as listed per port above |
Godspeed!
Havila Voyages related cruise news
- Accidents
Havila Kystruten cancels Havila Capella's roundtrip from Bergen on May 15
In a decision made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 26st, it became known they had granted Havila Kystruten an exemption from the...
May 12, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Havila Kystruten takes delivery of its 2nd eco-friendly hybrid-powered ship Havila Castor
Norwegian shipping company Havila Kystruten took delivery of its 2nd eco-friendly hybrid-powered ferry Havila Castor at Tersan shipyard (Turkey...
May 4, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Havila Voyages takes delivery of its 2nd ship Havila Castor
On Friday, April 22, Havila Voyages took delivery of its 2nd ship, Havila Castor, at Turkey's Tersan shipyard. Havila Castor will commence sailing...
April 23, 2022 - Accidents
Norway's Havila Voyages cancels scheduled voyage on Havila Capella over Russia sanctions
232 passengers (mostly Norwegians and Germans) were stranded in Port Bergen (Norway) after boarding the Havila Capella cruiseferry for a 12-day...
April 16, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Havila Voyages' Havila Capella ferry receives the Next Generation Ship Award
At the Nor-Shipping event held recently in Oslo (Norway), Havila Capella ferry - the world’s most environmentally friendly coastal ship...
April 7, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Havila Voyages' 2nd cruiseferry ship Havila Castor to start from Bergen (Norway) on May 10
Havila Voyages announced that its second cruiseferry, Havila Castor, would start operating from Bergen (Norway) on May 10, a month later than...
February 11, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Havila Capella cruiseferry embarks on her maiden voyage on the Bergen-Kirkenes route
On Sunday, December 12, Havila Capella embarked on her maiden voyage and became the first new ship on the Bergen (Norway)-Kirkenes (Norway) route in...
December 14, 2021 - Accidents
Havila Voyages delays first round-trip cruise of Havila Capella
On November 24, Havila Capella arrived in homeport Bergen (Norway) as the first of the 4 new Norwegian coastal cruiseferries. However, the date for...
November 30, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Havila Voyages takes delivery of Havila Capella: #1 of 4 new coastal ferries
Havila Voyages took delivery of Havila Capella cruiseferry. The 1st of all 4 new ferries for the shipowner Havila Kystruten will soon start sailings...
November 5, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Havila Voyages announces new delivery dates for Havila Castor and Havila Capella
Havila Voyages confirmed that the first 2 ships in its fleet - Havila Castor and Havila Capella, had been delayed and would be setting sail in Summer...
January 27, 2021 - show more news