Hurtigruten is the proud legacy of Hurtigruten Group. It is a national icon which has sailed what is considered the world’s most beautiful voyage along the Norwegian coastline since 1893. Today, its seven ships stop at 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes, connecting communities, delivering freight, and showcasing the splendour of the Norwegian coast to guests from around the world.
Hurtigruten' Ships
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Sea Zero
We’ve begun our most ambitious sustainability initiative ever in our 130-year history: to develop zero-emission ships tailored to the Norwegian coast by 2030.
We are partnering with SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organisations, to explore solutions in energy efficiency and battery electric power.
Inspired by possibility
Channelling the same pioneering spirit as our first voyage in 1893, we are embarking on a journey to build our first fully zero-emission ship for The Coastal Express by 2030. It is the most ambitious sustainability initiative in our 130-year history.
To reach Sea Zero, we are partnering with science-institute SINTEF to explore exciting, state-of-the-art solutions in energy efficiency and battery electric power.
The world’s most energy-efficient cruise ship
We’re excited to unveil early concept designs for our first zero-emission ship. The design features:
Large 60MWh battery bank
Retractable wind and solar sails
Enhanced A.I. assisted manoeuvring
Underwater air lubrication
Hydrodynamic retractable thrusters
Smart cabins with real-time energy monitoring
Our vision
Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway, explains what our goal of Sea Zero means:
“The Coastal Express has sailed the Norwegian coast for 130 years. For us to sail for 130 years more, we need to change the way we sail.
We are now upgrading our entire fleet, cutting CO2 emissions by 25%. Still, for our precious nature and for future generations, we have to do more.
It will require a lot of hard work, a lot of investment, and a lot of collaboration with very clever partners. But I know we’ll get there.”
Starting from home
We’re proud to launch Sea Zero on and for the Norwegian coast. This is our home.
It is the ideal location for developing new zero-emission ships thanks to Norway’s strong political will to support sustainable shipping, alongside future infrastructure for green energy.
Sailing these shores and fjords since 1893, we as The Coastal Express also have a long heritage of working closely with leading research institutions and innovative ship design companies, giving us the confidence to set Sea Zero as our goal.
Advancing hybrid technology
Though our goal is zero emissions, we are doing what we can with the ships and the technology we have today.
That’s why we’ve invested €100 million into green upgrades for our existing fleet of seven ships, including transforming three ships to use hybrid-power. By 2024, these changes will have cut CO2 emissions by 25% and NOx emissions by 80%.
While hybrid-power allows ships to switch to electric batteries and be emission-free for a few hours, Sea Zero will go further and allow our ships to be fully emission-free, not just for a few hours, but always.
Scientific solutions
To meet the challenges of Sea Zero, we are excited to work with SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organisations.
“The research and development behind the Sea Zero concept will demonstrate that zero-emission technology is available also for relatively large vessels and mark the end of fossil-fuelled coastal shipping.” Gunnar Malm Gamlem, Project Manager, SINTEF Ocean
Charting a course to Sea Zero
For our journey to zero-emission ships by 2030, SINTEF collaborated with us to carry out a feasibility study in summer 2022. It showed that to achieve Sea Zero for The Coastal Express, our new ships need to reach new standards in energy efficiency and primarily use sustainable electric energy, combined with small volumes of climate-neutral back-up fuel. The next phase is to collaborate with other partners to explore these solutions further and to qualify precisely how these measures can contribute to our overall goal of sustainability and zero emissions.
Feasibility factors
The study first analysed the following factors of our ships:
Passenger safety
Energy-use heat map
Cargo and crew
Operational schedule
Ship manoeuvrability
Wave and wind statistics
Examining the challenges
The study also outlined how sailing emission-free along the coast presents unique challenges that require pioneering solutions.
Any innovations must still:
Put safety first
Ensure regularity of our service to all 34 ports
Overcome design limitations for docking at small ports
Establish infrastructure for electric power and climate-neutral fuels from sustainable sources
Electric evolution
The feasibility study found three reasons why and how our future ships will be fully electric vessels, equipped with batteries that are charged with renewable energy when in port.
A power train with batteries, cables, and electric propulsion motors utilises 90% of the available energy, compared to just 45-50% in a conventional diesel engine
Norwegian electricity from hydropower has a CO2 footprint of around 10 g/kWh compared to the European average of 230 and the global average of 475 g/kWh
The consistency and reliability of our route for decades means it is possible to facilitate in-dock charging for our ships at around half of the ports along our route
Beyond zero greenhouse gas emissions, all solutions must be sustainable in every respect, including emissions to sea and the use, sourcing, and recycling of materials.
Energy efficiency
As only 1/7 of the global energy today is renewable, and energy is becoming an even more scarce resource, energy efficiency will be a pillar in our Sea Zero project. SINTEF’s scientists and engineers will examine all the systems and equipment in the new ship design to make sure each uses the lowest possible energy.
The feasibility study identified nearly 50 areas and innovations that will significantly reduce energy consumption across aspects such as:
Hydrodynamics
Aerodynamics
Propulsion
Machinery
Insulation
Ventilation
Heat exchange
The technologies SINTEF identified as promising in the feasibility study will now be explored further with our industry partners. Together, we will find out the positive effects each measure will have to our shared goal of Sea Zero.
515 Cruises ·
8 Ships
Cruise Regions
N Europe
Arctic
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Reasons to Book
A better, greener future
By 2024, in one of the largest environmental ship upgrades in Europe and in our 130-year history, we will have transformed all seven of our ships with major green upgrades.
Our entire fleet will be more energy efficient, cutting CO2 emissions by 25% and NOx by 80%, and three ships will be upgraded to hybrid power.
Weather in Norway
The weather in Norway is very changeable, meaning you can experience all four seasons in one day.
Spring | March, April and May are the most exciting months to visit Norway, when you can enjoy the best of both sun and snow in one sailing.
Experience Norwegian ‘springfulness’ on the coast in nature and culture
See all the phases of spring as you sail from south Norway to the Arctic
A time when fresh seafood and the year’s first produce fill the menus
Have fun with Easter activities and a Norway Day parade on board
Summer | Throughout June, July and August, visitors can witness a special phenomenon: the Midnight Sun. Other highlights include:
Powerful and majestic waterfalls in full flow
A host of exciting excursions, including boat rides, sea eagle safaris, kayaking and hiking
Special sailings into three pristine and beautiful fjords
A lush landscape and mild temperatures
Autumn | September, October and November are a great time to discover the Norwegian coast, as summer crowds disappear and make it easier to enjoy serene sailings in spectacular scenery.
Sail into enchanting fjords like Trollfjord and Hjørundfjord
Enjoy fresh locally sourced cuisine, delivered directly to the ship
Don you hiking boots and enjoy the scenery
Experience coastal Norway at its most colourful
Winter | Sailing with Hurtigruten in December, January and February, away from light pollution, provides the best and most reliable chances for experiencing the Northern Lights. But you can also:
Immerse yourself in the wild and untamed Norwegian winter scenery
Explore the vast wilderness by snowmobile or dog sled
Enjoy the cold, crisp air and Arctic light in different colours
Experience polar nights above the Arctic Circle
Norway’s Coastal Kitchen
Fresh ingredients, sourced where we sail.
Cuisine that brings you closer | On a voyage with us you won’t just see the Norwegian coast; you’ll taste it too. As we sail its length, we pick from its pantry, sourcing the finest homegrown produce from the ports we visit.
We are proud to support 50 local farms, bakeries, and producers from across Norway. In our onboard restaurants, enjoy the likes of melt-in-your-mouth cod from Vesterålen, award-winning cheeses from Lofoten, and quality craft beer from Bergen.
Our onboard restaurants | In general, each of our ships has a main restaurant, a bistro-style eatery, and a fine-dining à la carte restaurant, all true to our food concept of authentic local cuisine.
Dining rooms typically have floor-to-ceiling windows so you can enjoy views of the fjords while you dine, connecting you to the very places where our ingredients are sourced.
Head Chef Øistein Nilsen | Native son of northern Norway, Øistein spent much of his childhood exploring the great outdoors and appreciating the freshness and flavours of food from the wild.
As Head Chef for Norway’s Coastal Kitchen, he brings his vision of locally sourced cuisine to our iconic ships, while also championing homegrown talent, ingredients, and suppliers.
Culinary Ambassadors | We’re cooking up an exciting partnership with two award-winning Head Chefs from the Norwegian coast, Astrid Nässlander and Halvar Ellingsen, to enhance our menus and inspire the next generation of Norway’s Coastal Kitchen chefs.
Working closely with our own Head Chef Øistein Nilsen, they will do what they do best: craft locally inspired, sustainably produced, and delicious seasonal dishes, which will be unique to our voyages.
Sustainable and seasonal | Sourcing our food locally isn’t just about fresh, farm-and-fjord-to-table flavours. It’s also about achieving the lowest footprint possible and making sure there is minimal food waste.
By carefully managing supply and seasonality, we believe cuisine can and should be kind to the planet while still tasting authentic and amazing.
Members Club
As a member of 1893 Ambassador, we bring you exclusive offers, benefits, discounts, and newsletters packed with inspiring articles on faraway destinations.
1893 Ambassador is open for all travel enthusiasts regardless of if you have travelled with us or not and it is of course free of charge.
As a member, you'll receive access to discounts and benefits from both the Norwegian Coastal Express and Hurtigruten Expeditions.
All benefits
To give you an overview, we’ve listed all the benefits for you here.