Sustainability
We aim to shape the future of travel and lead the way in making Norway the world's most sustainable travel destination.
Hurtigruten is committed to shaping the future of travel and supporting Norway’s ambition to become the world’s most sustainable destination.
While we recognize that true sustainability is an ongoing journey, we are taking concrete steps through ship development, fleet upgrades and waste reduction. By continuously improving and embracing innovation, we aim to set new standards for more responsible and environmentally conscious tourism.
COO Gerry Larsson-Fedde discusses Hurtigruten’s commitment to sustainability on The Visioneers with Zay Harding, aired on May 31, 2025, on CBS.
Our sustainability credentials
Certified biofuels From carefully selected sustainable sources
Minimized energy use Through new propeller blades, new bulbous bow, new gears, and new control systems
Streamlined hulls That optimize inertia and reduce drag when sailing
State-of-the-art wastewater treatment Systems to limit emissions to sea
Reducing waste while supporting local farmers: We compost food waste from our fleet in Stamsund, providing fertiliser for Myklevik farm to grow fresh produce for our ships - reducing waste while supporting local farmers.
Shore-power connectivity that allows all ships to ‘plug in’ to electricity when docked in port, reducing emissions when shore power is available.
Sea Zero
Today, we are embarking on our most ambitious sustainability project in our 130-year history. We aim to develop a ship that can operate with zero emissions in normal operations on the Norwegian coast by 2030.
In partnership with SINTEF, one of Europe's largest independent research organizations and several key maritime players from Norway, the Sea Zero initiative explores cutting-edge solutions in energy efficiency and battery electric power.
Hurtigruten Sea Zero project Launched in 2023, our concept design for the world’s most energy efficient zero emissions cruise ship continued to make steady progress in 2024. With the goal of commencing operations on the Norwegian coastal route by 2030, and in collaboration with the Norway-based scientific institute SINTEF, this groundbreaking initiative represents the most ambitious GreenTech project in our history. The conceptual vessel features retractable wind and solar sails, a substantial 60 MWh battery bank, AI-assisted maneuvering and other state of-the-art technologies. Learn more about the Sea Zero project here.
This initiative builds on our ongoing sustainability efforts, including an approximately USD $100 million investment in upgrades to our existing fleet. Additional hybrid vessel for Hurtigruten Starting in 2024, work began on fitting MS Nordlys with an upgraded engine as well as an electrical propulsion system. Along with battery packs and the new more efficient engines, this means the ship’s CO₂ emissions will be substantially reduced. With MS Nordlys’s refit, this will bring the total number of hybrid ships within Hurtigruten to four, demonstrating our commitment to cleaner cruising along Norway’s coast.
Key upgrades to our fleet
We are in the process of undertaking one of Europe’s largest ship upgrade projects to make our fleet more sustainable. Our aim is to significantly reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency, by converting four ships to run on hybrid-electric power.
Emission Reductions
Targeting a 25% reduction in CO₂ emissions and 80% reduction in NOₓ emissions
Phasing in certified biofuels to lower environmental impact
Hybrid-Powered Ships
Upgrading four ships to hybrid-electric power for quieter and cleaner operations
Installing large battery packs and energy-efficient engines
Shore Power Connectivity
All ships now connect to shore power when docked, eliminating emissions in ports with shore power availability
Plastic-Free and Waste Reduction Measures
Eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics across the fleet
Implementing advanced waste management systems to reduce pollution
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Optimized hull design to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency
Modernized wastewater treatment systems to minimize environmental impact
Towards Zero Food Waste
We are committed to minimizing food waste through our "Towards Zero Food Waste" initiative, which emphasizes a circular approach to food consumption and waste management.
This program is part of our Norway's Coastal Kitchen concept, which focuses on the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Reduce: Chefs prepare smaller portion sizes to minimize leftovers
Reuse: Leftover food is repurposed creatively in new dishes
Recycle: Unavoidable food waste is transformed into fertilizer
The recycling process involves collecting food waste on board and processing it in a compost reactor at the port of Stamsund. Within 24 hours, microbes convert the waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, which is then used at Myklevik farm to cultivate fresh produce. This produce returns to our ships, completing the sustainable cycle.
We plan to expand this model to other regions in Norway, aiming to inspire broader adoption of sustainable practices and contribute to the preservation of the Norwegian coastline.
More information
Visit our ESG page for more detailed information on our environmental, social and governance initiatives, plus our long-term goals for responsible travel. This is where you can also read our latest ESG report.
