Hurtigruten has embarked on its first ever climate-neutral voyage along the historic coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes in Norway. On Wednesday, the hybrid ship MS Richard With departed from Bergen for the 5,000-kilometre round trip, powered by 100 percent renewable diesel supplied by St1.

The fuel, known as HVO100, is produced from used cooking oil and food waste collected through St1’s UK subsidiary, Brocklesby Ltd. These are raw materials that would otherwise be discarded but are now given a new life as energy. At St1’s biorefinery in Gothenburg, the material is refined into renewable fuel that can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90 percent compared to fossil diesel. The entire production process is ISCC-certified, ensuring full sustainability compliance and traceability throughout the value chain.

The fuel, HVO100, used to power MS Richard. Photo: Hurtigruten

Powering energy transition

“This voyage demonstrates how circular solutions can deliver real emission reductions today. Hurtigruten is showing real leadership, and for us at St1, it’s about using technology and resources smarter — turning waste into fuel and proving that the energy transition is already happening,” says Lea Rankinen, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Affairs at St1 and Managing Director of St1 Norway.

Over the past four years, Hurtigruten has invested more than one billion Norwegian krone in technical upgrades across its fleet. MS Richard With has been equipped with new engines from Bergen Engines, battery packs, and NOx reduction systems that cut emissions by more than 80 percent. All ships are connected to shore power where available.

St1 tanker fueling Hurtigruten with HVO100. Photo: Hurtigruten

The “here-and-now solution”

Hurtigruten sees renewable fuel as the fastest and most cost-effective way to reduce emissions in shipping, while fully electric solutions for larger vessels are still several years away.

For St1, the voyage is an example of how verified renewable fuels and existing technology can create measurable climate impact today. The collaboration with Hurtigruten highlights how established players across the value chain can work together on solutions that both cut emissions and build experience for a zero-emission maritime future.

MS Richard With follows the classic coastal schedule with calls at 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes. The round trip will be completed in Bergen on 9^th of November.

Proud stakeholders showing HVO100 in front of Hurtigruten. Photo: Hurtigruten