Hurtigruten Asked to Narrow Down Coastal Route

The Norwegian Ministry of Transportation and Communication has requested that the two Hurtigruten ships currently in operation shall only sail along the coast of Northern Norway between Bodø and Kirkenes until further notice.

The Corona pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions have caused enormous income losses for Hurtigruten. As of 24 and 27 October respectively, the two remaining vessels in operation will sail only between Bodø and Kirkenes, thus abandoning the distance Bergen – Bodø for the time being.

Northern Norway, in particular areas north of Bodø, are particularly dependent on Hurtigruten for passenger and goods freight, in particular in winter. With winter approaching there is the risk of snow-closed roads, which means that having an alternative freight route along the coast must be a viable option. The Ministry has therefore decided that more frequent availability along the northern coast is a must, according to Transport and Communication Minister Knut Arild Hareide.

The arrangement with a limited sailing route will be in force until further notice.