Routes & Operators
Havila Voyages pauses coastal-route investments after a shorter contract is proposed
Havila Voyages is putting planned investments for the next Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route contract on hold. The Norwegian government has proposed cutting that contract from ten years to four–five years after 2030. The work on hold includes modifications so the ships can handle private cars at all ports.
Source: Havila Voyages (opens in a new tab)
Havila Voyages said on 27 October 2026 that it is putting planned investments for the next contract period on hold, including modifications that would make it possible to handle private cars at all ports. In its proposed national budget for 2027, the government proposes reducing the contract period for the Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route from ten years to four–five years after 2030. The new framework will form the basis for the tender, which Havila Voyages has been given signals will be issued in the first half of 2027. The Storting will decide the framework in December.
Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages, said: “A ship is built to sail for decades. A four- to five-year contract provides no basis for investing in new ships or major technological advances. We therefore have to put some investments on hold and reconsider others pending clarification.”
Havila Voyages says such a short contract will in practice limit competition to today’s operators and their existing fleets, and that the oldest ship on the route will be more than 50 years old when the next contract expires. The company aims to make its entire fleet climate-neutral on biogas by 2028 and to achieve zero-emission operation from 2030.