Positive Operating Result in 2024

After a challenging start where several external factors affected both the delivery and financing of the company’s fleet, 2024 was the first full year Havila Voyages had all four ships in full operation on the Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen coastal route. As a result, the company can also report its first year with a positive operating result, amounting to NOK 219 million in profit, and revenues of NOK 1,529 million.

“Neither our board nor we who work in the company have lost faith, despite a difficult beginning. We now show that we can run this company with higher revenues than operating costs, and that bodes well for the road ahead,” says CEO Bent Martini.

“At the same time, we still have high financing costs, and much of our focus going forward is to find more economically sustainable financing for Havila Voyages.”

Significant Emissions Reduction

In 2024, Havila Voyages’ four ships delivered CO₂ emissions 35% lower than the reference levels on the coastal route from 2017, when diesel-powered ships operated the route. These results also significantly exceed the requirements set by the Norwegian government in the current coastal route contract.

“The Ministry of Transport & Communications requires operators on the coastal route to reduce emissions by at least 25% annually during the contract period, and we exceed that by a good margin. These are figures we are very proud of, and they show that if you have the will and ability to make good choices to reduce our impact on the beautiful nature we are allowed to sail in, it is entirely possible,” says Martini.

In addition, Havila Voyages has reduced its emissions of NOx and SOx by 87% and 100%, respectively, compared to 2017 figures on the coastal route.

“It’s easy to focus only on CO₂, but NOx and SOx are also important when it comes to air pollution and reducing acid rain. The fact that we’ve eliminated SOx entirely and reduced nearly all NOx emissions has a significantly positive effect on the areas we sail through,” he says.

Local Value Creation

On board Havila Voyages’ ships, guests are served tasty meals daily, made from ingredients produced and delivered by Norwegian suppliers. The company maintains a strong focus on reducing food waste, and in 2024 recorded only 68 grams of food waste per passenger cruise night. This is well below the company’s ambition of keeping food waste under 75 grams per cruise night.

“Compared to traditional buffet solutions, we reduce our need for ingredients by up to 65 tons annually. That’s beneficial for the environment and for our company’s economy. We have fantastic employees who focus on food waste every day and who share this part of the story with our guests by delivering the cruise industry’s best food concept,” says Martini.

He points out that Havila Voyages won the “Best Cuisine” award in 2024 at the Wave Awards, the cruise industry’s version of the Oscars, held in London.

In addition to the food on board, Havila Voyages offers its guests excursions and experiences delivered by 80 local suppliers along the Norwegian coast.

“We contribute significantly to value creation along the coast, both by purchasing goods and services locally and through our public service obligations in the contract with the Norwegian government, which ensure reliable transport for locals and cargo along the Norwegian coast. We are proud of what we contribute and look forward to what’s next,” concludes Martini.

Download and read Havila Voyages' integrated annual and sustainability report below.