Hurtigruten, the leader in iconic Norwegian coastal voyages, is set to make industry history on 29 October 2025 by embarking on their first climate-neutral biofuel sailing. Renowned for having one of the longest coastlines in the world, this groundbreaking 4,000-kilometre round trip will sail along the Norwegian coast from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.

The battery-hybrid ship MS Richard With will depart from Bergen on its regular coastal route, but for this milestone voyage, its tanks will be filled with 100% advanced biofuel. The journey will be entirely climate neutral, which is the first of its kind on the traditional Bergen to Kirkenes route. Furthermore, the vessel will connect to shore power wherever available during the sailing.

“Our ships already sail on blended biofuel, but for the first time we will carry out the entire sailing on 100% advanced biofuel. For us at Hurtigruten, it is important to do what we can to reduce emissions, and this voyage is an example of how biofuel can play a key role in achieving Norway’s climate goals,” says Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten.

Major emission cuts

Since 2022, Hurtigruten has invested €100m in technical and environmental upgrades to their fleet in order to reduce CO2 and NOx emissions. In parallel, the company has gradually phased in the use of biofuels. This sailing will run on ‘HVO100’ (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), which is waste-based advanced biofuel from the energy supplier St1.

“Our long-term vision is to be able to sail completely emission-free in normal operation. Advanced biofuels make it possible to achieve major emission cuts with our existing fleet. This is proven and safe technology, and at the same time can help protect the climate from large emissions created by the construction of new ships,” says Felin.

The biofuel powering Hurtigruten’s voyage is produced from renewable waste materials that are part of the natural cycle, making it inherently climate neutral.

Sea Zero

Hurtigruten is working in parallel with other solutions to reduce emissions, including through the company’s research and development program Sea Zero, where the goal is to design a ship that can sail without emissions in normal operation.

The project is a collaboration between Hurtigruten, Sintef and several other partners in the Norwegian maritime industry.

“Looking further into the future, we want to build new ships that reduce the total energy demand by 40 to 50 percent. We can then sail on batteries as the main source of energy, assisted by a number of innovative solutions such as sails, air lubrication of hulls, more efficient design and contra-rotating propellers,” says Felin.