Tor Joins Havila Polaris on 50 Degrees North’s First Carbon-Neutral Coastal Voyage
50 Degrees North experienced Havila Voyages’ first carbon-neutral sailing along Norway’s coast. Tor Sagsveen witnessed the biogas-powered Polaris in action, touring the vessel, observing bunkering, and joining sustainability discussions, a firsthand look at how low-emission maritime travel is shaping the future of responsible tourism.
Tor Experiences Havila Polaris’ First Carbon-Neutral Voyage Along Norway’s Coastal Route
This week, 50 Degrees North had the unique opportunity to witness a milestone in sustainable travel: Havila Voyages’ first carbon-neutral sailing along Norway’s scenic coastline. Tor Sagsveen joined the journey from Bergen to Trondheim aboard the Havila Polaris, gaining firsthand insight into how sustainable shipping is shaping the future of maritime travel.
A Historic Step for Sustainable Shipping
The Polaris was bunkered with 350 cubic metres of biogas, cutting CO₂ emissions by over 90 percent for the journey, showing that climate-neutral coastal travel is possible today. Havila Voyages CEO, Bent Martini, emphasised the importance of taking responsibility for local communities along the route:
"We have a responsibility for the people and communities along our coastline. Biogas is already a real solution for sailing the coastal route with very low emissions, without requiring technical changes to our vessels."
The voyage also included demonstrations and discussions designed to highlight practical sustainability measures: Tor observed biogas bunkering on deck, toured the bridge and engine room, and participated in conversations about political frameworks and emission reductions for the coastal route.
Innovation in Practice
Maritime CleanTech’s interim CEO, Håvard Tvedte, called Havila’s approach a real-world example of rapid emissions reduction:
"Biogas is a transitional solution delivering immediate emission cuts, while zero-emission technology continues to be developed."
For 50 Degrees North, seeing these solutions in action reinforced how sustainability and tourism can work together. Tor noted how the hands-on demonstrations and discussions brought the challenge and potential of low-emission travel to life, offering insights that will inform the way 50 Degrees North approaches responsible tourism experiences in Norway.
A Look to the Future
Havila Voyages plans to operate all four coastal vessels climate-neutrally by 2028. Tor’s visit demonstrated not only the environmental impact of this pioneering voyage but also the role of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing along Norway’s coastline.
Read more about the Havila Polaris voyage and its sustainability milestones:
- Communications and Sustainability Officer Lasse A. Vangstein with Vegard Saevik*