Daniel Skjeldam explains why Hurtigruten has a good deal to offer the more adventurous traveller
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2017 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
World leader in expedition travel Hurtigruten made history in 2016 when it placed its first newbuild order in more than a decade. The company plans to expand its fleet with two new expedition cruise ships – one in July 2018 and the other in July 2019 – in a move that fits well with growing consumer demand for voyages to more remote destinations.
“We’re making the largest investment in Hurtigruten’s history to ensure our position as a world leader in expedition travel in the Arctic and Antarctica, and at new adventurous destinations,” says Daniel Skjeldam, Hurtigruten CEO. “Adventure tourism is one of the fastest growing global tourist trends and it’s a market where Hurtigruten sees great potential for our unique product. The new adventure traveller is looking for active and authentic experiences. People no longer want to spend their all of their holiday time being passive spectators.”
Hurtigruten contracted Norway’s Kleven Yards to build the two 530-passenger vessels last year, adding an option for two more newbuilds. Rolls-Royce will design and deliver equipment for both ships.
In addition to an innovative ship design with a wave-piercing bow, Rolls-Royce will supply an integrated package of technology and equipment. Among the deliverables will be the Rolls-Royce Unified Bridge, which represents a complete redesign of the ship bridge environment. Consoles, levers and software interfaces will have a common look and feel, which Rolls-Royce claims will result in a more comfortable, clutter-free and ultimately safer and more efficient working environment for the captain and the bridge team.
Given the tough climatic conditions, safety will be critical. Austria-based firm Palfinger Marine has been contracted to supply lifesaving equipment for the two newbuilds, which will each be fitted with lifeboats, tenders and two fast rescue boats. Each lifeboat has a capacity for 150 people, while each tender can accommodate 150 people when used as a lifeboat, or 120 when shuttling cruise passengers.
Skjeldam believes Hurtigruten’s new ground-breaking expedition ships will revolutionise adventure travel at sea. “It was a natural step for us to honour our explorer heritage by naming our new generation of vessels after the Norwegian legends of polar exploration Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen,” he remarks. “Our newbuilds will be the world’s first electric-powered hybrid expedition ships, with interiors reflecting Scandinavian design. We’re combining Hurtigruten’s more than 120 years of know-how with cutting-edge technology, designs of tomorrow, and a strong commitment to sustainability, to offer the modern adventure traveller unprecedented experiences.”
Adding that Hurtigruten’s newbuilds will also set a new standard for interior design and onboard customer experience Skjeldam says: “The aura of the period of the great exploration expeditions will be recreated within the framework of modernity, prime quality and comfort.”
New destinations are also on the horizon for 2017 and beyond. Commenting on what drives destination planning decisions, Skjeldam says the Hurtigruten has two mainstays: Arctic and Antarctic explorer sailings, and the legendary voyages along the Norwegian coast. “From the 2017 season, we are expanding to several new adventurous destinations such as the Amazon river and Arctic Canada.”
However, that’s just the beginning, Skjeldam says. There are 32 new destinations in Hurtigruten’s 2018 expedition sailings programme, which offers an expanded selection of Antarctica expedition sailings, including on Roald Amundsen. Hurtigruten will also offer explorer-style sailings in the Caribbean, along the US Atlantic coast (including New York) and to the Northwest Passage. With these new additions, Hurtigruten will offer itineraries to 200 destinations across 28 countries.
“When planning our ground-breaking itineraries and expansion, we balance several drivers and considerations, such as market demand, operational factors, regulations, environmental factors, and whether the destinations are a good fit for the Hurtigruten product concept and DNA,” Skjeldam explains.
Skjeldam predicts that customer demand for expedition cruising will evolve over the next few years. “The Adventure Tourism Development Index Report from 2015 valued adventure tourism at US$263 billion, with an increase of 195% over two years,” he says. “We strongly believe this development will continue and intensify. Hurtigruten sailed our first expedition cruise to Svalbard in 1896. Seeing others trying to follow in our wake today is a sign that after 120 years as polar pioneers, we’re still disrupting and shaping the industry.”
Hurtigruten’s financial turnaround in recent years has enabled the company to invest heavily in a total makeover of the coastal product and its current coastal expedition ships. “We’ve introduced a new and modern arctic design, reflecting the pure and untouched nature we sail in and by,” comments Skjeldam. “In the restaurants, guests are offered locally harvested fine dining. From spring, six of our coastal ships will feature onboard expedition teams modelled after our Antarctica operation. It’s a total makeover, giving our guests extra – and more active – choices, while still honouring our historical roots.”
Norwegian operators have always been in the vanguard of tackling environmental challenges and with its new hybrid ships, Hurtigruten is no exception. The issue is all the more important with the advent of the global sulphur cap in 2020.
“Operating in pristine waters for almost 125 years, we’ve constantly been focusing on developing sustainable travel,” comments Skjeldam. “We’re building the world’s first hybrid powered explorer ships with rapidly developing battery technology to allow us to sail totally emission free. Even though it is a huge extra cost, we don’t use heavy fuel oil in any of our 14 vessels. Hurtigruten is already well within the sulphur cap limit.”
Challenging the rest of the industry to follow, Skjeldam adds: “Time is overdue to discuss size limiting guidelines and ban heavy fuel oil in the Arctic; the industry needs to develop more sustainable operations and destinations. This is essential if you want to operate in the world’s most pristine and vulnerable waters.”