Taking breaths away since 1893

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Since 1893, Hurtigruten has been the lifeblood of the Norwegian coast. A household name, loved by locals for generations. The route binds the country together, transporting people, delivering goods and sustaining communities.

The history of Hurtigruten

When shipping pioneer Richard With founded the Original Coastal Express back in 1893, little did he know that it would forever change the future of the Norwegian coast. You can read more about the early days of Hurtigruten, and how the route developed in the 20th century.

From the late 20th century, the company continued to be a pioneering force in the world of cruising, a legacy that it continues today.

The original Vesteralen ship, which the 1983 ship was named after

1982

New vessels replace older ships, some with a revolutionary side hatch for easier loading and unloading.

1983

MS Vesterålen joins the fleet. Named after Hurtigruten’s first ship DS Vesteraalen, it continues the legacy Hurtigruten first began 90 years ago.

1993

Hurtigruten’s 100-year anniversary and the construction of MS Kong Harald mark the dawn of the modern era.

MS Lofoten became a national monument in 1964 in recognition of its service

2001

MS Lofoten, built in 1964, is declared a national monument by the Norwegian government, a testament to Hurtigruten’s faithful service along the coastline.

2002

One of Hurtigruten’s new generation ships is in use in Chile for voyagers from Cape Horn to the Antarctic Peninsula, marking the beginning of the modern-day Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Hurtigruten has its own museum in Stokmarknes that showcases its fascinating history and role in Norwegian culture

2006

The two companies OVDS and TFDS merge to form the present day Hurtigruten company. The new company has a unbroken record back to founder Richard With, the first sailing in 1893 and the Vesteraalen Steamship Company.

2010

Hurtigruten bans the use of heavy fuel oil from all its ships and advocates for a worldwide ban on the highly polluting fuel.

Hurtigruten has long been an advocate of envronmental initiatives such as this beach clean

2011

For five and a half days, the journey on MS Nordnorge from Bergen to Kirkenes is broadcast live on Norwegian television. At 134 hours, 42 minutes and 45 seconds, it enters the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest live broadcast.

2015

Hurtigruten Foundation was established to reinvest in the communities Hurtigruten visits and to support environmental initiatives. Hurtigruten also launches its popular Northern Lights Promise for its winter voyages.

Hurtigruten has long been an advocate of envronmental initiatives such as this beach clean

2018

Tonnes of single-use plastic items are removed and banned from the ships fleet-wide. Hurtigruten celebrates its 125-year anniversary with a big, plastic-free party.

2020

MS Lofoten, the longest serving ship in Hurtigruten history, is finally retired. The ship had crossed the Arctic Circle more than 3,500 times and travelled a distance equivalent to over 200 times around the equator. MS Lofoten is now a training ship – educating future generations of Norwegian seafarers.

The future of Hurtigruten: the Sea Zero project emission-free ship

2021

Hurtigruten begins phasing in sustainable biofuels on its ships.

2022

Green upgrades start to transform some ships to hybrid power. MS Richard With starts sailing as a hybrid ship after having new engines and large battery packs installed. This cuts CO2 emissions by 25 percent. Hurtigruten’s Sea Zero Project also launches to build its first emission-free ship by 2030.

2023

Hurtigruten commemorates its 130-year anniversary by launching two new voyages: The Svalbard Express and The North Cape Express.