Worldwide Hospitality Awards

Being the world leader in exploration travel comes with a great responsibility. With focus on innovation, technology – sustainability is a part of every Hurtigruten operation.

Hurtigruten has been exploring some of the most challenging waters in the world since 1893, tracing our roots back to the Norwegian polar heroes. We are now facing one of the greatest and most difficult challenges in our 125-year history: climate change, plastic waste and unsustainable mass tourism are altering vulnerable ecosystems and threatening wildlife.

Building on our passion, competence and heritage, Hurtigruten – with our dedicated crew and staff - is determined to make a difference. We will leave behind a footprint we are proud of, contribute to sustainable development and create positive change through our operations.

Hurtigruten aims to raise and set standards for the whole industry to follow, as we enter a new era of expedition cruising and adventure travel driven by sustainability.

CLEANER FUEL TECHNOLOGIES AND HYBRID SHIPS

In 2017, we began the construction of the world´s most advanced, modern and environmentally friendly expedition ships, MS Roald Amundsen, operating since 2019, and MS Fridtjof Nansen (2020). Both vessels will use hybrid technology, a key milestone in our effort to innovate more sustainable exploration travel.

A total reduction in fuel consumption and hence CO2 emissions are the main gains. Innovative hybrid technology, in combination with improved hull and bow design, will reduce emissions from the ships by up to approximately 20%.

Hurtigruten will also retrofit up to nine ships sailing the Norwegian coast. This allows us to optimize full use of battery power and utilize LNG, a much cleaner fuel that simultaneously enhances the safety of guests and our crew in the event of extreme weather or mechanical failure. The use of innovative and efficient LNG engines will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25% compared with 2015 levels. The combination of battery packs and shorebased power will reduce CO2 emissions by up to another 8%.

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AS A FRAMEWORK

Hurtigruten also embraces the SDGs (UN Sustainable Development Goals) as a key driver for innovation, helping to identify and develop solutions the global community needs and can use to achieve sustainable development.

Our business touches both directly and indirectly on many of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through a materiality assessment, involving staff and selected external stakeholders, it became evident that Hurtigruten has the most impact on five of the SDGs: 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

In addition to the five impact goals, effective collaboration and partnerships (SDG 17) are an important enabler for us when it comes to meeting our objectives under each impact goal. Working closer with industry partners, research institutions, local communities and supply chain partners is necessary to have the positive environmental impact we aspire to.

GOALS 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• By using shore-based electricity in Bergen (pictured), we will reduce our NOx emissions by 2.5 tonnes and produce 150,000 kg fewer CO2 emissions each year per ship.
• The transition to LNG will further reduce our NOx emissions by up to 90%.
• The transition to LNG will further reduce our C02 emissions by up to 25%.
• Warming water on our ships through heat transfer from the engine room saves us 108 GWh of energy. That’s the equivalent of 6,700 households.
• We reduced the amount of bottled water we transport from 460,000 to 182,000 bottles between 2015 and 2017.

GOALS 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
• We routinely run internal training for our crew on protecting the natural environment and preserving cultural heritage.
• Hurtigruten are proud members of AECO and IAATO
• the Hurtigruten foundation are proud contributors to 10 main associations to nature preservation.

GOALS 12 – Responsible Consumption and production
• In 2017, we were nominated for the EMBLA Nordic Food Award. Around 80% of the food we serve comes from Norwegian suppliers.
• Rørvik farm, a local farm on the north-western coast, delivers 3 million eggs each year directly from the farm. After the laying hens have finished producing eggs, they are served as food on board.
• Hurtigruten serves over 4 million meals each year.
• In 2017 we sorted 45% of all waste on board.
• In 2018, all plastic straws, drink mixers, plastic cups, coffee lids and plastic bags will be removed from all Hurtigruten ships.

GOALS 13 – Climate action
• From 2012 to 2017, we reduced our CO2 emissions by 8% per nautical mile.
• From 2012 to 2017, we reduced energy consumption by 7.6%.
• Hurtigruten is fighting for a ban on heavy fuel oil in the Arctic and all Norwegian waters, including Svalbard.

GOALS 14 – Life below water
• Equipment installed on MS Trollfjord and MS Midnatsol have made 5 million measurements of water quality along the Norwegian coast, identifying 40 incidents of oil spillage.