Hammerfest, Norway | October 7, 2025 – In a landmark move set to redefine the future of sustainable maritime transport, Havila Kystruten has announced a historic voyage of its flagship vessel, Havila Polaris, powered by liquid biogas (LBG)—demonstrating, for the first time, the feasibility of climate-neutral operations along the entire Norwegian coastal route.
The voyage, scheduled to commence later this November, is positioned as a bold challenge to current climate ambitions and regulatory frameworks—proving that emission-free maritime travel is not just a future aspiration, but an achievable reality today.
November Milestone: Bunkering Biogas for the Future
On November 26, Havila Polaris will bunker 200 cubic meters of liquid biogas at Polarbase, just outside Hammerfest. Upon arrival in Bergen on November 30, the ship will receive an additional 150 cubic meters—an amount sufficient to operate the entire round-trip voyage on clean, renewable fuel, supplemented by the ship’s massive onboard battery packs.
“With this round trip, we want to prove that it is entirely possible to sail the full coastal route climate-neutrally. This is what we believe should be the baseline requirement in the next contract period,” – said Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Kystruten.
This monumental voyage has been months in the making. Since announcing the initiative during Arendal Week in August, Havila Kystruten has worked in close collaboration with Barents Naturgass and Molgas to secure the necessary volume of biogas. The final confirmation of delivery marks a significant milestone, enabling a voyage that will cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% compared to conventional operations.
Industry Leadership and a Call for Stricter Regulations
Havila’s initiative arrives in tandem with similar steps from competitor Hurtigruten, which will be bunkering biodiesel for its vessel Richard With at the end of October. CEO Martini welcomed the development, stating:
“The more operators adopting sustainable solutions, the better—for our coast and for the climate. When both contract holders demonstrate what is achievable, authorities must no longer delay climate demands. We are urging stricter environmental regulations from day one of the next contract period.”
He further emphasized the difference in impact between biodiesel and biogas:
- Biodiesel significantly reduces emissions,
- But biogas virtually eliminates CO₂, nitrogen oxide (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SOx)—a breakthrough for improving local air quality in the 34 ports served along the Norwegian coast.
Driving the Circular Economy and Local Job Creation
Beyond emissions reductions, Havila is championing the broader environmental and economic potential of biogas. Produced from food waste, manure, and fish sludge, biogas is a key enabler of the circular economy—turning waste into energy and returning nutrient-rich biofertilizer to agricultural use.
“Biogas isn’t just about cleaner energy. It’s about value creation, job growth, and closing the loop. Our goal is to source 100% of our biogas locally by 2028, creating short-distance value chains and reinforcing economic resilience in coastal communities,” – said Martini.
This aligns with Havila Kystruten’s core mission as a Norwegian-owned and operated company, deeply rooted in the country’s maritime heritage.
No Retrofit Required – Seamless Transition to Biogas
In a key technical revelation, Havila confirmed that no modifications are needed to switch from natural gas to biogas. The ships’ existing LNG systems are fully compatible with LBG, allowing for an immediate shift to a dramatically lower-carbon fuel without additional infrastructure investments.
Currently, Havila Kystruten’s fleet operates using LNG and advanced battery systems, achieving a 35% reduction in CO₂, 87% NOx reduction, and 100% elimination of SOx—well above the Norwegian government’s mandated 25% CO₂ reduction.
“Our ships are among the most efficient in the world. Yet we see room for even more. We’ve identified opportunities for a further 20–30% energy efficiency gain, which, paired with biogas, will bring us ever closer to zero-emission operations,” – said Martini.
Safety First: Biogas Integration with Existing Fuel
While the Havila Polaris will bunker biogas in two phases, it is important to note that the tanks will still contain residual natural gas from previous operations. For safety reasons, a full purge of LNG is not viable before bunkering, meaning the voyage will use a blended fuel mix, with biogas as the dominant component.
“We are setting ambitious goals and achieving them—voyage by voyage. This isn’t about symbolic gestures. It’s about delivering real, measurable impact for the climate, the industry, and the communities we serve,” – Martini concluded.
About Havila Kystruten
Havila Kystruten operates four of the most environmentally friendly ships on the historic Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route. With one of the largest battery installations on any passenger ship globally, the fleet can sail emission-free for up to four hours—particularly crucial in ecologically sensitive areas.
- Battery packs are recharged in port using clean Norwegian hydroelectric power.
- Daily operations combine LNG and battery power for optimal efficiency.
- The ship design maximizes energy efficiency, while waste heat recovery systems further reduce environmental impact.
- Locally sourced food, minimal plastic use, and sustainable procurement practices underscore Havila’s full-spectrum commitment to sustainability.
As part of the Havila Group, with maritime roots dating back to the 1950s, Havila Kystruten remains a proud, family-owned operator deeply invested in the future of clean coastal shipping.
Source: Havila Kystruten