By
Alex Smith |
New Norwegian cruise operator Havila Voyages has taken delivery of its first ship, Havila Capella, from Tersan Shipyard in Turkey.
The ship will shortly embark on the journey from Turkey to Norway, accompanied by a team from Havila Voyages who will prepare the ship for her first voyage.
"The four coastal cruise ships for Havila Voyages are a special assignment for us,” said Mehmet Gazioğlu, general manager of Tersan Shipyard. “We have faced various challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, which have led to delays. However, we have learned a lot from the first ship and expect more efficient construction of the next ones. And today we are seeing the beautiful ship that Havila Capella has become."
The ships are operating as part of a 10-year contract from the Norwegian Government to sail the historic route, with Havila operating four of the 11 vessels departing daily. The 12-day voyage visits 34 different coastal ports, passes through four Unesco World Heritage sites and crosses the Arctic Circle twice.
“We have been looking forward to this day for many months and are delighted to have taken delivery of our first ship,” said Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages. “Launching a brand-new shipping company is a very special event to be part of, especially given this is the largest investment in tourism we have seen along the Norwegian coast.”
Havila Capella will feature a decor that reflects Norwegian landscapes and uses natural materials. She will offer two restaurants and a café serving both traditional Norwegian dishes and modern creations based on Norwegian ingredients.
Each of the new ships will be fitted with battery packs with capacity for up to four hours of emission-free sailing through environmentally sensitive areas. The batteries will then be charged in the ports along the route using clean hydropower. Other sustainability features will include the use of surplus heat to generate energy, the use of LNG and energy monitoring systems.
The ship is scheduled to start sailing along the Norwegian coast between Bergen and Kirkenes from 1 December, becoming the first of the four ships ordered by Havila Voyages to enter service. The second ship is scheduled to be delivered in January, with two further ships arriving in summer 2022.