Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten (hurtigruten.com) is a Norwegian passenger shipping company specializing in cruise and ferry services. The "Norwegian Coastal Express Route" (Bergen-Kirkenes) is a cargo-passenger ferry service along Norway's western and northern coast. Hurtigruten's cruiseferries sail nearly the entire length of Norway and complete this roundtrip itinerary in 11 days. The route also includes Lofoten Islands and Vesteralen Islands.

Hurtigruten's competitor on the Norwegian cruiseferry market is Havila Voyages.

Company History

The Hurtigruten company was established by government contract in 1893, in order to improve communications along Norway's jagged and long coastline. On July 2, 1893, the steamship Vesteralen departed on the company's maiden voyage/first roundtrip itinerary from Trondheim, arriving in Svolvaer on July 3rd (35,5 hours crossing) and at Hammerfest on July 5th (after 67 hours). The steamer was mastered by Captain Richard With (Hurtigruten's founder).

Hurtigruten's first expedition voyage was in 1896.

Only Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab was willing to navigate the then poorly charted waters. Such a voyage was especially hard during the dark and long winters. Hurtigruten was a breakthrough for communities. Mail to Hammerfest from central Norway (which had taken 3 weeks in summer and 5 months in winter) could already be delivered in just 7 days.

Encouraged by Vesteraalens' early success, several other companies obtained concessions to operate the coastal route, extended to run from Bergen (southwest) to Kirkenes (far northeast). 11 ships visit each of the 34 ports daily, northbound and southbound. The 12-day roundtrip itinerary Bergen-Kirkenes includes 65 port stops, with ports' stays ranging from 15 min to 4+ hours.

Currently, Hurtigruten provides 24/7 cargo and passenger ferry service Bergen-Kirkenes. To operate this service, the company receives a Norwegian subsidy. However, in 2017 the subsidy arrangement was changed as preventing ferry competition. Some Norwegian interests also argued that Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal Service monopoly is not beneficial to the country and that local passengers will only benefit from more competitive offers.

In the 1980s, Hurtigruten's role changed. Operating subsidies were phased out and the operators put emphasis on tourism. New, larger and more luxurious vessels were introduced, with more attention to restaurants, bars, hot tubs, and other comforts. Hurtigruten still serves important cargo and passenger needs and operates year-round. The last two shipping companies, Troms Fylkes Dampskibsselskap (TFDS) and Ofotens og Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab (OVDS), merged on March 1, 2006, as the Hurtigruten Group AS, and a year later became Hurtigruten ASA. In addition to the ferries, high-speed regional express ships, and coastal route, the company operates cruises around South America, Antarctica, and Greenland.

At the end of 2014, the British private equity "TDR Capital" (specializing in control buyout investments in Europe) acquired Hurtigruten. In July 2014, TDR announced 3 potential buyers for the company and receiving offers from them. Since 2014, TDR Capital has provided the money needed for the purchasing and the refurbishment of MS Spitsbergen, as well as the capital for the drydock refurbishments of 4x ships in the Hurtigruten fleet and for two new shipbuilding orders (with optional two more vessels) in an attempt to revive the company.

When TDR bought Hurtigruten, the bid was for USD 884 million. TDR Capital got 90% and both Hurtigruten's shareholders retained 5% of the company each. Future plans are the brand (specializing in explorer cruising / expedition-type vacations) to be popularized on the markets in Asia and the USA. New itineraries will be added, including in exotic destinations, such as Amazon River (South America in general), Caribbean and other not polar regions, in addition to the line's traditional Arctic and Antarctica cruises.

In 2017, Hurtigruten signed a strategic partnership with Alibaba Group's Fliggy (a subsidiary company specializing in tourism). Via Figgy, Hurtigruten scheduled in January and February 2018 and 2019 Antarctica cruises (on the ship Midnatsol (now Maud)) exclusively for Chinese travelers. These itineraries are roundtrips from Ushuaia Argentina and transit through the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Since July 2, 2018, fleetwide was implemented a policy for not using any single-use plastic products (bags, straws, cups, cutlery, toothpicks, aprons, stir pins, drink mixers, coffee lids). The decision made the shipping company world's first "plastic-free". It is estimated that 15 tons of plastic enters into oceans every minute of the day, ranking plastic pollution world's single biggest threat to the oceans. Hurtigruten's ban of single-use plastics was also imposed on all hotels, restaurants and other establishments contracted by the subsidiary company subsidiary Hurtigruten Svalbard for the land-based operations on Svalbard islands.

Hurtigruten Group's CEO is Daniel Skjeldam, Steven Taylor is the CCO. Hurtigruten Norway's CEO is Hedda Felin. Hurtigruten Americas' President is Jeffrey Oar.

In January 2021, Hurtigruten Group's cruise shipping operations were reorganized into two separate entities - "Hurtigruten Expeditions" (rebranded "HX" in December 2023) and "Hurtigruten Norway". Both entities have different management teams (including CEOs).

"Hurtigruten Expeditions" operates a fleet of 8 small-sized (expedition-type) vessels deployed in regions like South America and Antarctica, Alaska, Iceland and Greenland, Arctic Norway (Spitsbergen, Svalbard), North and Central America.

"Hurtigruten Norway" operates Norwegian coastal voyages (Bergen-Kirkenes/ 34-port route) providing cruise and ferry services.

In 2023 Hurtigruten hired Alex McNeil (Quark Expeditions' Director of Expedition Experience & Innovation) as SVP of Expeditions Product & Guest Experience, as well as Alastair Newton (Alavan Business Advisory Ltd's Director and Co-founder) as Director of Expedition Operations.

Company changes 2023

In 2023, Hurtigruten Norway celebrated its 130th Anniversary, since its first Norwegian Coastal Express voyage in 1893. In September, the sister-company Hurtigruten Expeditions (operating a 6-ship fleet) was rebranded to "HX".

In March 2023, Hurtigruten launched the "Sea Zero" ship project in partnership with SINTEF (1950-founded, Trondheim-based independent research organization) plus a consortium of 12 maritime companies. The project (budgeted EUR 13 million/USD 14M/GBP 11,5M) received EUR 7M (~USD 7,5M/~GBP 6,2M) in public funding. The 2-year research and development phase (2023-2025) is for developing a battery-based powerplant, a hybrid propulsion system and optimized hull design and onboard energy consumption (electricity used for the hotel operations). Hurtigruten's Sea Zero project will result in the construction of the world's most energy-efficient cruise vessel.

In December 2022, Hurtigruten purchased from the family-owned Rathfinny Wine Estate (Vineyard in Polegate, East Sussex, England UK) a total of 1700 wax-sealed bottles of sparkling wine and placed them at a secret location off Arctic Norway's coast to age. In May 2023, after six months of aging on the seabed (at depth 34 m/112 ft), the bottles (branded Havets Bobler) were retrieved and introduced fleetwide to celebrate the company's 130th Anniversary. The first "Arctic-aged" champagne was tasted on May 12th (by celebrity sommelier Nikolai Haram Svorte) in Sandnessjoen. The special wine-tasting event was attended by Tina Gurra (Hurtigruten's Director of Beverages) and Mark Driver (Rathfinny Estate's co-owner).

Company changes 2022

In March 2022, Hurtigruten Group AS acquired a 24,9% stake (1/4th) in Metropolitan Touring (Quito Ecuador-headquartered travel company and luxury brand) specializing in South America and Galapagos voyages.

In October 2022 Hurtigruten Expeditions signed a deal with Speedcast (Australian satellite technology provider) and implemented fleetwide SpaceX ' Starlink (satellite internet) connectivity. The fast Internet is unlimited and offered complimentary to both passengers and the crew.

Company changes 2021 (Hurtigruten Galapagos cruise charter)

In June 2021, Hurtigruten Expeditions signed a boat charter deal with Metropolitan Touring (shipowner/company specializing in Galapagos and South America voyages) for the luxury yacht Santa Cruz 2 (max capacity 90 passengers). The boat was extensively drydock-renovated in 2021 (all staterooms and public areas).

The first Hurtigruten Galapagos cruise was scheduled to depart on January 7, 2022.

Hurtigruten's 8-night/9-day Galapagos Islands itinerary includes hotel stays in Quito Ecuador (two nights/pre- and post-voyage), 6-nights of cruising (roundtrips from Baltra Island), and two domestic flights (between Quito and Baltra).

The maiden season (2022) included a total of 32x expedition packages combining the voyages with land tours in the Galapagos, Cusco-Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca (Andes Mountain/Bolivia and Peru), Manuel Antonio National Park (off Costa Rica's coast).

In December 2021 were opened bookings for Galapagos 2023-2024 seasons and announced new itineraries. To the 6-night "Eastern Galapagos" was added a 4-night "Northern Galapagos", a 4-night "Western Galapagos" and an 8-night B2B/back-to-back (Northern and Western Galapagos). Hurtigruten also expanded its land program by adding the luxury hotel Mashpi Lodge (capacity 47 beds, northwest of Quito), as a 3-night pre-/post-tour accommodation option for any Galapagos voyage.

Company changes 2020

In late-November 2020, Hurtigruten sold MS Lofoten to Sorlandet Maritime Videregaende Skole (Maritime High School). Since August 2021, the 1964-built vessel is used as a training ship (including hotel ship) for the students. The deal included the option Hurtigruten to occasionally charter the vessel during non-school periods.

For 2020, Hurtigruten reported a loss of EUR 160,6 million (~USD 194M) - in comparison to EUR 17M (~USD 20,5M) loss in 2019. As of Dec 31, 2020, the company had EUR 72M (~USD 87M) liquidity (cash and cash equivalents) and average monthly cash burn EUR 13M (~USD 16M). Hurtigruten's current fleet consists of 16 boats, including 11x expedition ships (5x for Arctic-Antarctic voyages) and 7x ferries (under a 10-year contract with Norway's Ministry of Transportation).

Hurtigruten Svalbard (catamaran cruises)

In May 2019, Hurtigruten partnered with Brim Explorer (Norwegian company specializing in eco-friendly cruising) to introduce a battery-powered catamaran (double-hulled vessel / with 2 parallel hulls) which is custom-designed for scenic polar exploration. The new boat operates various daily-scheduled sea excursions from homeport Longyearbyen (on Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard Norway) under the new "Hurtigruten Svalbard" brand.

The 2020-launched hybrid catamaran has LOA length 24 m/79 ft, large battery packs and is one of the world's newest fully-electric powered ships. The vessel's batteries can be recharged shoreside and provide power for up to 10 hours at cruising speed 10 knots (18,5 kph / 11,5 mph). Max passenger capacity is 140. Shipbuilder is Maritime Partner AS (shipyard in Alesund Norway). Boat's exterior and design is by Hareide Design AS - the company that designed the ships of Norwegian Yacht Voyages. Catamaran's hull design is by Wave Propulsion AS (based in Bomlo Norway). Among catamaran's features are hydrophones and underwater drones. The Blueye Robotics-produced drones were also introduced to other Hurtigruten ships.

The construction of MS Brim Explorer (sistership) started in September 2018 (the order was placed in April) and it was launched in June 2019. Starting in August, itineraries are along Norway's coast and north of the Arctic Circle, including Lofoten (during summer) and short breaks from Tromso (during winter). The sistership (currently under construction) for Hurtigruten Svalbard was inaugurated in August 2019. Futuristically designed, both tour boats feature 2 decks with floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows and offer premium food prepared with locally sourced ingredients.

Since 2019, the company's subsidiary Hurtigruten Svalbard (via partnership with the Finnish company Aurora Powertrains) offers eSled (electric snowmobiles) on shore excursions (wilderness tours) on Svalbard Islands (Norway's Arctic). The new snowmobiles are powered by electricity supplied by alternative sources (solar panels and windmills).

In mid-October 2020, Hurtigruten Group initiated a process to sale Hurtigruten Svalbard's real-estate portfolio (3 hotels, retail shops, apartments). As financial advisor was contracted Carnegie Investment Counsel (Registered Investment Advisor firm).

Hurtigruten's ferry service "Norwegian Coastal Express"

"Norwegian Coastal Express" is a Norwegian passenger shipping (cruise ferry) service on the routes Bergen-Kirkenes (northbound) and Kirkenes-Bergen (southbound) along the western and northern coasts of Norway. Currently, Trondheim-Svolvaer ferry route takes 33 hours, while Trondheim-Hammerfest ferry time is 41 hours 15 min.

On the Bergen-Kirkenes ferry route are transported passengers, as well as provisions, mail and various cargo to Norwegian communities without any road or air access.

For the period 2012-2019, Hurtigruten was given an annual USD 600 million subsidies for public transportation (regular ferry) services not otherwise provided. The company's current contract expires on December 31, 2019, with an optional 1-year extension. At the end of September 2017, Norway's Ministry of Transportation and Communication invited ferry companies to compete for the Norwegian Coastal Service's subsidy, with a deadline for the bids January 3, 2018. The new ferry contract was signed for the period January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2031. Hurtigruten had to modernize 7x vessels (deployed on this route) in order to comply with the contract's requirements.

New ships (Polar-class expedition vessels)

In early-June 2016, Hurtigruten signed a letter of intent for building 4 new expedition ships with ice-strengthened hulls, allowing cruising to Antarctic and Arctic destinations. This was company's largest investment in its 123-year history. It followed the announcement (April 2016) that Hurtigruten will add 2 new Polar-class expedition vessels to its fleet.

The shipbuilder is Kleven Marine shipyard (Ulsteinvik Norway). Ship design and propulsion were developed by Rolls-Royce, with the assistance of the designer Espen Oino. The construction order included two additional options. The new ships were named MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen. These are the world's first expedition ships with hybrid propulsion. The new-class vessels feature latest environmentally friendly marine technologies. The new hybrid technology allows cruising with fully electric propulsion for up to 30 min. The main gain is the total reduction in fuel consumption and CO2-emissions. The new hybrid technology, along with the effective use of electricity onboard and optimized hull design, reduces emissions by nearly 20%.

The newbuilds have underwater drones (ROV / remotely operated underwater vehicle) developed by Blueye Robotics (Norway). Each drone weighs 7 kg and has 4 thrusters for propulsion. The ROV also features a wide-angle video camera designed to work in limited-light conditions. It streams true-color live images to the ship's TV screens, to all cabin TVs and also to the digital diving masks of the passengers cruising on the ship's Zodiac boats.

Each newbuild has 3 restaurants with current itinerary-based menus. The pool deck has bars, infinity pool, Jacuzzis. Building materials used during construction were predominantly Norwegian, with extensive use of granite, oak, and wool, among others. WIth max passenger capacity 530 each, the new ships were scheduled for launch in July 2018 and July 2019.

In August 2017, Hurtigruten made an investment of NOK 300 million (USD 39 M) in Kleven Group for a 40% interest. In September 2017, Hurtigruten acquired 40% stocks in Kleven Verft after the shipyard experienced a financial crisis.

Along with Hurtigruten, Kleven Group (parent company for the shipyards Kleven and Myklebust) includes Age Remoy, the Kleven-owned companies John Kleven and H-Invest, the yacht-building company Lurssen (Germany) and the private investor Per Lillebo. Without the newly infused capital, Kleven Shipyard was facing bankruptcy. In June 2018, Hurtigruten became full owner of the shipyard after buying the remaining 60% shares. Under the 2018 deal, Hurtigruten also fully owns the subsidiaries Kleven Maritime Contracting and Kleven Maritime Technology. Following the acquisition, Hurtigruten provided NOK 600 million (USD 75 M) financing in order to facilitate Kleven Verft's shipbuilding capabilities.

The last time when the company had a newbuild was in 2007 (MS Fram).

In early-February 2019, Hurtigruten announced that in 2021 will add 4 old ships to the company's expedition fleet - Spitsbergen (2009), Midnatsol (2003), Trollfjord (2002), Finnmarken (2002). This fleet also includes Fram (2007) and the newbuilds/sisterships Roald Amundsen (2019) and Fridtjof Nansen (2020).

On October 25, 2018, Hurtigruten signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Kleven Verft AS for the construction of a third newbuild (530-passenger expedition vessel) sistership to the hybrid-powered Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. The MoU was signed by Daniel Skjeldam (Hurtigruten Group's CEO) and Olav Nakken (Kleven Verft's CEO).

In March 2023 the company signed a partnership with SINTEF (Stiftelsen for industriell og teknisk forskning/1950-founded, Trondheim-headquartered independent organization specializing in contract projects/analysis, research, and development) for the design of a new class "zero-emission" ferries for Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal Express service. The first ship is planned for inauguration in 2030.

Hurtigruten fleet's LNG and Battery Power upgrades

In April 2018, the company announced a USD 150 million fleet renovation project - Hurtigruten's ever largest. Almost all vessels will be upgraded with new hybrid powerplants that combine LNG-engines (liquefied natural gas) and batteries. For the project was contracted Rolls-Royce Marine, initially for 6 vessels and optional another 3. The program's completion was scheduled before the new coastal service contract (January 1, 2021). The project also includes all boats to be upgraded with shore power capabilities.

In November 2018, Hurtigruten announced its fleet will be powered with LBG (liquified biogas) produced mainly from dead fish using organic-waste recycling methods. LBG is sourced from Norway and other Northern European countries with large fisheries and forestry industries producing big volumes of organic waste. In May 2019, Hurtigruten signed an 8-year deal with Biokraft AS to supply LBG fleetwide.

By 2021, Hurtigruten has six old vessels upgraded with FGSS (fuel gas supply system) and biogas-battery-powered (LBG, LNG, batteries).

• For this USD 850 million (EUR 770 M) drydock conversion project, in March 2019 was contracted Hoglund Gas Solutions (HGS) - Hamburg-based subsidiary of the Norwegian company Hoglund Marine Automation). Hoglund developed, delivered and installed the FGSS equipment package, while HB Hunte Engineering GmbH designed and engineered the vessels' fuel tanks.
• Hurtigruten also allocated three boats - Midnatsol (Maud), Trollfjord (Eirik Raude), Finnmarken (Otto Sverdrup) - exclusively for cruise shipping operations between homeports Bergen and Kirkenes. These new Norwegian coastal cruises are available for booking by international passengers and not serving Norwegian ferry passengers.
• Following the project's completion in 2021, the three vessels (Trollfjord, Finnmarken, Midnatsol) were renamed to, respectively, MS Eirik Raude, MS Otto Sverdrup, MS Maud. These ships were also upgraded with hybrid powerplants and equipped with large-capacity battery packs. Starting in 2021, the 3 ships are deployed year-round for Norwegian Coastal cruises.
• MS Otto Sverdrup (Finnmarken) was drydocked in 2020, while MS Eirik Raude (Trollfjord) and MS Maud (Midnatsol) were drydocked in 2021. The three boats were also significantly refurbished (all interior public spaces and all staterooms) and new suites were added. Their max passenger capacity was reduced to 530.

By 2023, 3x "Norwegian Coastal Express" boats (Kong Harald, Nordlys, Richard With) will undergo drydocks for powerplant conversions (from diesel to battery-hybrid), during which new low-emission diesel engines and large battery packs will be installed.

• For this project, on May 11, 2021, Hurtigruten signed a contract with Kongsberg Maritime to deliver the hybrid equipment packages.
• Each ship will be fitted with 2x SAVe Energy storage systems (1,120kWh lithium-ion batteries) controlled via SAVe CUBE (drive switchboards that control the thrusters) and 2x Bergen B33:45V diesel engines (diesel generator sets with SCR-Selective Catalytic Reduction to optimize CO emissions control). The Kongsberg's equipment also includes re-blading of the propellers, installing new thruster motors, AC (current switches), new safety and radio systems.
• The drydocks will be conducted by Myklebust Verft AS (shipyard in Gursken, Norway).

All Hurtigruten ships now have shoreside-power capabilities (plugs for electricity supply at port berths).

Among the deckplan changes following the drydock refurbishments are:

• new venues - Expedition Launch (tender boat platform serving passenger embarkation for shore excursions, complete with expedition equipment and boats), Science Center (fitted with high-tech gadgets and top-notch media technologies and served by ship's Expedition Team), new/redesigned wellness complex (relaxation lounge, gym, treatment rooms for massages).
• Ships' sundeck areas (with outdoor swimming pool/whirlpool) were also upgraded.
• Three new restaurants were introduced - Restaurant Aune (Main Dining Room serving breakfast, lunch, dinner), Restaurant Lindstrom (new speciality dining venue for contemporary cuisine) and Fredheim (casual eatery). On top deck was added an outdoor grill bar.
• The onboard art collections were preserved.

Hurtigruten cruise experience

Hurtigruten ships provide comfortable home-like travel experiences while touring the charming cities, islands and mountain scenery of Norway. The atmosphere onboard is casual because these vessels are on a mission to transport traveling locals and freight in addition to the international mix of cruise passengers making a voyage out of it. Most of the Norwegian crew speak English. Tipping is optional, though many guests will remember the ship's dining staff. On the expedition ms Fram, Hurtigruten recommends 50 kroner per day.

Dining, with all meals included for one-way and roundtrip travelers, takes place in a single onboard restaurant. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, open-seating, with a good selection of international and Norwegian selections. Dinners are reserved-seat, set-time, 3-course meals. Special dietary requests have to be made in advance. The 24-hour cafe is most often used by travelers making short trips. Liquor is highly taxed. Passengers may bring their own alcohol supply onboard for consumption in cabins.

Apart from an occasional musical group aboard during summertime departures, there is no entertainment scheduled by Hurtigruten. The Arctic Circle crossing ceremony is a rousing show for those guests chosen by King Neptune as victims (ice-cold water initiation) and others spectating. Everyone watches the constantly changing scenery from decks or in the cozy observation lounges and midship bars, while some also play games and read. Norwegian sculpture and paintings decorate the entire fleet.

An extensive tours program is geared to the seasons and includes city walking tours, church and museum visits, dog sledding, birding, kayaking, Lapland cultural tours, and trips to the North Cape. Hurtigruten tours may be pre-booked online. One of the unique features of these voyages is that passengers rotate often, with point-to-point ferry travelers embarking and disembarking along the route.