After announcing the initiative in early October, Hurtigruten 's MS Richard With has departed from Bergen on the company's first climate-neutral voyage. The ship set sail on October 29 and is currently traveling the legendary Coastal Express route to Kirkenes and back, carrying local passengers, cargo, and tourists along the way.
The battery-powered hybrid vessel will complete a 5,000-kilometer journey using 100% advanced biofuel, reaffirming Hurtigruten's position as a leader in sustainable travel initiatives both on the Norwegian coast and in the maritime industry as a whole.
“This is a historic moment in Hurtigruten’s more than 130-year legacy on the Norwegian coast. Most importantly, it demonstrates that emissions reductions are possible today through the use of sustainable biodiesel, without the need to invest billions in new ships or infrastructure,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten.
The journey uses HVO100, an advanced biofuel supplied by the energy company St1. Produced from waste and discarded materials, such as used cooking oil and residual fats, it transforms what was previously thrown away into a valuable source of energy.
“Life cycle analyses show that this fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil alternatives,” explained Lea Rankinen, CEO of St1 Norway, Hurtigruten’s fuel supplier.
“This trip demonstrates how circular solutions can deliver real emissions reductions right now. Hurtigruten is showing decisive leadership, and for us at St1, it’s about using technology and resources more intelligently. We’re turning waste into fuel and proving that the energy transition is possible now,” added Rankinen.
Over the past four years, Hurtigruten has invested around €100 million in technical upgrades, one of the most extensive environmental modernization programs of its kind in Europe. The MS Richard With is one of the ships equipped with batteries and new engines, which has significantly improved energy efficiency. In addition, advanced wastewater treatment systems and purification units have reduced NOx emissions by more than 80%, and the entire fleet now has electrical connections in port.
“Hurtigruten believes that sustainable biofuel is the fastest and most cost-effective way to reduce emissions. This is especially true in the maritime sector, where zero-emission technology for large vessels is still several years away,” Felin noted.
The fuel is produced from raw materials collected by St1's UK subsidiary, Brocklesby, and processed at St1's biorefinery in Gothenburg. All production is ISCC certified, guaranteeing compliance with sustainability requirements and full traceability at every stage of the process.
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