Hurtigruten has begun a new chapter in sustainable coastal operations with the departure of MS Richard With from Bergen on its first climate-neutral voyage.
The ship left Bergen on October 29th, setting course along the Coastal Express ferry route to Kirkenes and back. During the 5,000-kilometre round voyage, the vessel is transporting local passengers, goods, and international travellers through some of Norway’s most remote communities.
Powered entirely by advanced biofuel, MS Richard With represents a practical demonstration of emission reduction in modern shipping. The vessel operates on HVO100, a renewable biodiesel produced by energy company St1 from waste and residual materials such as used cooking oil and fat by-products. According to lifecycle analyses cited by St1, this fuel type can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional fossil alternatives.
Hurtigruten’s management noted that the voyage forms part of the company’s wider strategy to achieve near-term emission cuts without the need for new ships or large-scale infrastructure investments. Over the past four years, the line has invested approximately EUR 100 million in one of Europe’s most comprehensive environmental retrofit programs. MS Richard With now sails with hybrid battery systems, new engines, and advanced sewage treatment units that have collectively improved energy efficiency and reduced NOx emissions by more than 80%. Every vessel in the fleet has also been equipped with shore power connectivity to eliminate emissions while in port.
The biofuel used on this voyage originates from feedstock collected by St1’s UK-based subsidiary, Brocklesby, and refined at the company’s biorefinery in Gothenburg. The process is fully certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) scheme, guaranteeing both traceability and compliance with sustainability standards.
By undertaking this voyage, Hurtigruten demonstrates the operational viability of circular energy solutions within commercial shipping. The company continues to position sustainable biofuel as a transitional but critical step toward a low-carbon future for maritime travel, particularly as zero-emission technology for larger vessels remains under development.