Hurtigruten, the iconic leader in Norwegian coastal voyages, has been ranked the top operator in the 2024 Friends of the Earth (FoE) Cruise Ship Report Card, earning a B+ rating – the highest score awarded this year. This recognition underscores Hurtigruten’s dedication to advancing environmentally responsible maritime travel and its leadership in setting new standards for the industry.

The 2024 Cruise Ship Report Card evaluates 21 global cruise operators based on their environmental practices, including pollution prevention, wastewater management, and transparency in sustainability efforts.

“The cruise industry has long been a significant polluter, and progress toward further action on sustainability has been too slow. Comprehensive evaluations like this are essential for holding our industry accountable, and we are proud to be recognised as the top-ranked operator. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to setting a higher standard for more sustainable travel. We don’t claim perfection, but progress,” said Hurtigruten CEO, Hedda Felin.

“We recognise the impact of our industry and daily activities. The Norwegian coast has been our home for more than 130 years, and it’s our duty to protect it. Our goal is to have our first emission-free ship in service by 2030, but in advance of that we’ve already made considerable progress in reducing our carbon footprint amongst several other initiatives across our operations,” commented Rikke Jorgensen, VP of Organizational Development and Sustainability.

Sustainability leadership in action

Hurtigruten has been a leader in sustainable maritime efforts, introducing practical solutions to reduce its environmental impact for the past decade and a half:

• Transparency: Hurtigruten release a fully transparent annual ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report, demonstrating its commitment to openly sharing its environmental practices and holding itself accountable to sustainability goals.

• €100m Fleet Upgrade Programme: As part of a major effort to reduce the environmental impact of the fleet, over the last three years the company has invested nearly €100m towards reducing emissions. This includes battery-hybrid upgrades, which will be in place across four ships from Spring 2025 (Northern Hemisphere).

• Close Collaboration with Local Communities: Hurtigruten is proud to support 50 local farms, bakeries, and producers from across Norway. They have recently placed food waste from their fleet into a specially designed compost reactor in the port of Stamsund in the Lofoten islands for use by a local farm. Since 2019, they have reduced food waste from 261g to 63g per passenger, per cruise night.

• Ban on Single-Use Plastics and Heavy Fuel Oil: They removed non-essential single-use plastics from across their fleet in 2018, and banned the use of heavy fuel oil in 2009.

“Hurtigruten is not just a cruise line; we’re an integral part of Norwegian coastal communities, connecting over 100,000 local passengers each year, transporting freight between 34 ports and providing authentic experiences,” added Jørgensen. “Investing in emission-free technology comes with its challenges, but as a company committed to driving more sustainable initiatives, we’re confident it is the right decision for our business, our stakeholders, and most importantly our guests. The urgency of the environmental crisis calls for decisive action now.”

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About Hurtigruten: 

Hurtigruten, established in 1893, is a Norwegian coastal cruise company renowned for its unique voyages along the stunning Norwegian coastline and beyond. With a legacy spanning over a century, Hurtigruten offers authentic and immersive experiences, showcasing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the destinations it visits – offering its guests the opportunity to truly live the legend of Norway.  

With a fleet of modern and environmentally conscious ships, including two dedicated vessels for Svalbard and North Cape sailings, Hurtigruten offers travellers authentic experiences. While creating unforgettable journeys for guests, Hurtigruten aims to minimise its impact on the environment and maximise value creation for local partners.  

For further information or interview requests, contact:
Christina Koullas, PR & Communications Manager – Asia Pacific

christina.koullas@hurtigruten.com | +61 425 670 110