Globe hopping
32 / Eco-Friendly Cruising
Fuelling the
future
Havilia’s Northern Lights cruise
The pressure is on for the cruise industry to become more ecoefficient – and it is responding with initiatives such as batterypowered ships and greener excursions, says Jeannine Williamson
W
alking out onto the top deck of Havila Castor I breathe in the crisp Norwegian air and look out over the equally breath-taking views of the snow-capped Norwegian Fjords glistening in the morning sunlight. The thing that immediately strikes me is the sound of silence. I’m aboard the second ship to be launched by all-new Havila Voyages, which has two more identical vessels on the way. The line won the contract to operate alongside Hurtigruten on the Bergen to Kirkenes coastal, which calls at 34 ports and provides a ferry and freight service for locals and a spectacular scenic
voyage for passengers in its 179 cabins. I go back inside and sit in one of the cosy lounges next to a ‘crackling’ faux fire before heading to lunch in the restaurant showcasing local specialities. That afternoon I embark on a thrilling husky sled expedition. It’s one of the sustainable shore excursions, which also include e-bike and e-bus tours, on this eco-friendly line boasting the largest battery capacity of any cruise ship. Havila Castor’s battery weights 86 tons and is equivalent to 600 Teslas. The ship can sail silently under battery power for up to four hours and is leading the way for the Norwegian government’s requirement that
all sailings in the UNESCO-listed fjords must be emission-free by 2026. It certainly makes sense in this pristine natural environment.
Green and clean Sustainable travel was on the agenda at this year’s CLIA UK & Ireland conferences and the Seatrade Cruise Global event held in Miami. Data from Google has also shown that 70% of people questioned were interested in travelling more sustainably. Ocean and river lines have risen to the challenge with a raft of initiatives. This year A-ROSA broke the mould with the launch of the first-ever hybrid river vessel, A-ROSA SENA, which can sail in and out
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