Havila Voyages has joined the European LOWNOISER project as an associate partner, reinforcing its commitment to more sustainable and environmentally friendly maritime operations. The project aims to reduce underwater noise and protect marine life.
The company will make the MS Havila Capella vessel available to carry out full-scale tests on the Norwegian coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes.
As part of the project, advanced sensors and hydrophones will be installed to measure underwater radiated noise and vibrations generated during normal ship operations.
“The future of shipping must be built on respect for the oceans we sail and the coastal communities we serve. By joining the LOWNOISER project and making the Havila Capella available for large-scale testing, we want to contribute to a maritime industry that is not only cleaner, but also quieter for marine life,” said Marianne Vågen Langeland, Chief Operating Officer of Havila Voyages.
“Underwater noise is an invisible footprint, but it has real consequences for marine ecosystems. Operating year-round along one of the world’s most spectacular and sensitive coastlines gives us a unique opportunity and also a clear responsibility to drive positive change. Through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation, we aspire to contribute to a new standard for sustainable coastal shipping,” he added.
The project will allow for testing noise reduction technologies in the propulsion system, including optimized bevel gear solutions. Measurements will be taken before and after installation.
Fixed hydrophone stations will provide baseline data that will allow researchers and technology providers to quantify improvements under real operating conditions.
An initial measurement campaign was conducted in March 2026 to assess underwater noise during normal operations using both LNG generators and battery propulsion alone. The results provide valuable information on how different operating modes influence underwater noise.
Although the maritime sector has made significant progress in reducing emissions, underwater radiated noise remains a largely unaddressed environmental challenge. Many marine species rely on sound for essential functions such as communication, navigation, feeding, and reproduction. Increased ship noise can disrupt these processes, especially in sensitive coastal waters.
By providing a modern vessel for large-scale testing, Havila Voyages is supporting the development of practical solutions to reduce noise at its source. The data collected will allow for a better understanding of how operating conditions and propulsion systems affect underwater noise and will contribute to the development of effective mitigation measures.
These findings will also help define future environmental standards and regulatory frameworks for maritime transport.
The LOWNOISER project, led by Maritime CleanTech, brings together 15 partners from industry and research. Funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe program, the project aims to develop and validate solutions for quieter and more sustainable maritime transport.
“We are very pleased to welcome Havila Voyages to the project and appreciate their strong commitment to the demonstration and measurement activities. Their contribution will allow us to collect invaluable data to better understand underwater noise and assess the effectiveness of mitigation technologies.”.
“This work will contribute to the development of future environmental standards for maritime transport,” said Emilie Dorgeville.
The shared ambition is clear: the seas of the future must be cleaner and quieter. By addressing underwater noise alongside emissions, the project promotes a more holistic vision of maritime sustainability.
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