Hurti back in action

HURTIGRUTEN has posted a healthy first quarter update, and has forecasted a strong second quarter, with all the Group’s ships fully operational as of yesterday.

The company confirmed Fridtjof Nansen resumed sailing on 01 Jun after she had previously run aground on a voyage from Lofoten to Flam in Jan.

It is the first time since Mar 2020 all of Hurtigruten’s ships are back in operation.

The fleet will be sailing with no capacity restrictions, with forward bookings for the 12-month period (from the second quarter of this year to the first quarter of 2023) also higher compared to prepandemic levels, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Skjeldam said.

He explained while Q1 was still heavily affected by the pandemic, countries in Hurtigruten’s key source markets and destinations have moved closer toward normality.

“We have already made significant progress this year, with all our ships in Hurtigruten Norway back in operation, and Hurtigruten Expeditions’ MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fram also successfully completing an Antarctica season.”

“From 01 Jun, all Hurtigruten Expeditions ships across the globe can finally offer unique adventures to our travellers without many restrictions.”

Skjeldam also forecasted a robust Q2.

“The outlook for the second quarter and beyond is very positive, considering everything we’ve been through over in recent years,” he said.

“Although we’ve been tested, we are emerging from the pandemic in a strong position, with new investments and our eyes firmly fixed on the future.”