Press release -
Havila Voyages confirms May start date for second ship
Havila Voyages has announced that its second ship, Havila Castor, will start operating from Bergen on 10th May, a month later than planned.
The ship, which was due to start operating on 7 April, is being built at the Tersan shipyard in Turkey, where it is currently unable to carry out sea trials due to challenges with an electric motor.
The CEO of Havila Kystruten, Bent Martini commented “I apologise to those passengers who have been looking forward to exploring the Norwegian coast on Havila Castor. We very much look forward to welcoming them on board in future and are contacting them to discuss an alternative voyage.”
Martini goes on to confirm that Havila’s first ship, Capella, has been well received and that both Havila Capella and Havila Castor are now almost fully booked throughout the summer season.
“We have had alot of feedback from satisfied guests who are enjoying the good food and large cabins and appreciate the ship’s large windows showcasing the regions she sails through. They are also giving us positive comments about the high standard of service and comfortable accommodation onboard.”
Delays for Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux
Havila has also announced that its third and fourth ships, Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux are likely to be impacted.
Martini continues “We assume that Havila Polaris will start operating in the third quarter and Havila Pollux in the fourth quarter of this year. At this stage we are unable to confirm the exact dates but are doing everything we can to ensure we can put these ships into operation as quickly as possible, for the benefit of all who will travel and work on board.”
A new agreement has been made with the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications, responsible for Havila’s coastal contract, who have confirmed they are not demanding replacement ships are put in place during these delays.
About Havila Voyages:
Havila Voyages is a new Norwegian shipping company offering a more environmentally responsible way to explore the Norwegian coast.
The company will be operating four brand new ships as part of a ten-year contract with the Norwegian Government to sail the coastal route from Bergen to Kirkenes. The twelve-day return voyage visits 34 different ports sailing through narrow fjords and open seas and travels high up into the Arctic Circle.
The large battery packs fitted to each ship will allow them to sail through the fjords and other vulnerable areas for up to four hours at a time - quietly and emission free. The batteries will then be charged in one of the numerous ports along the route, using clean hydropower.
The new ships showcase a modern & stylish Nordic design and offer 179 spacious cabins, ranging from ten to 45 square metres.
The on-board culinary experience will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the trip, with menus reflecting Norway’s culinary traditions and using the highest quality Norwegian produce.
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The Havila Voyages is a Norwegian shipping company that sails the classic coastal voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes with the Norwegian coast's most environmentally friendly ships.
The four new ships are loaded with the world's largest battery pack, and for four hours you can sail without noise or emissions through vulnerable fjords. The batteries are charged with clean hydropower at shore, and when the batteries are low we switch to natural gas which cuts CO2 by around 25%.
The hull is specially designed for maximum energy efficiency, and excess heat from cooling water and sea used for heating on board. On the menu are locally made dishes from local producers, and all unnecessary plastic is avoided. We are already exceeding the authorities' requirements for cutting emission, and we have set sail with zero emissions as the target.
The Havila Voyages is part of the Havila group that dates back to the 1950s. It all started when the founder, Per Sævik, bought his first fishing boat in his teens. From fishing and herring fishing, Havila is now a group operating in shipping technology, offshore, transport and tourism.
