Havila Voyages is putting some ship upgrades on hold. The reason is a proposal from the Norwegian government to shorten the next contract for the famous coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes. Today's contracts run for ten years. The new plan calls for four to five.
Havila Kystruten AS, the company behind Havila Voyages, laid out the possible effects in a stock exchange release on October 27, 2026. If you have a Havila trip booked, here is the short answer first: nothing changes for now. The current contract runs through 2030, and the company says the proposal does not affect it.
What the government proposed
On October 7, the government presented its 2027 national budget, known as Prop. 1 S (2026–2027). Part of it covers the coastal route after 2030.
The main points, as Havila describes them:
- A shorter contract. The next deal would last four to five years, down from ten.
- The same service. Ships would still call at 34 ports every day. Today, 11 vessels serve the route.
- More room for cargo and cars. The plan aims to improve capacity for freight and private cars.
- Lighter climate rules. Climate rules beyond what the law requires would apply only where the cost is justified.
Parliament is expected to decide in December 2026. If the plan stands, it will shape the tender for the next contract, which is expected in 2027.
What Havila is pausing
Havila had planned to adapt its ships for the next contract period. That included changes to let the ships carry cars at every port. The work was to be done during scheduled maintenance. For ships where the work has not yet started, Havila is now putting that spending on hold.
The company is also taking a fresh look at its climate goals. Havila has aimed for climate-neutral operations by 2028 and zero emissions from 2030. It says those targets depend on long contracts, big investments and stable rules. A four to five year contract, it says, is a much weaker basis for spending on that scale. It will review the targets once the final terms are set.
What the CEO said
Bent Martini is the chief executive of Havila Voyages. He spoke to the point in comments reported by Cruise Industry News.
"A ship is built to sail for decades. A four- to five-year contract provides no basis for investing in new ships or major technological advances. We therefore have to put some investments on hold and reconsider others pending clarification," Martini said.
According to the same report, Havila argues that a short contract would limit competition to today's operators and their current ships. It also says short contracts tend to cost the state more, because the ship owners must earn back their investment over fewer years.
Founder Per Sævik put it in local terms. "Ships, people, and jobs along the coast are not something you build up in four or five years, and you do not get them back once they are gone," he said, as quoted by Cruise Industry News.
Where Havila could go next
Havila says its growth may now have to come from outside the coastal route. Its ships were designed to sail in other markets too. The final contract terms will decide which way the company goes after 2030.
The company also says it is well placed whatever the outcome. It points to a modern fleet and a strong tourism market. It plans to stay in talks with the government on the length of the contract and the climate rules.
What it means for travelers
For the next few years, very little. Havila's four ships keep sailing the route under the current deal through 2030. Your booked trip is not affected by this proposal.
The bigger question is what the route looks like after 2030. A shorter contract could mean fewer new ships and slower progress on cleaner fuel. It could also change who runs the service. We will follow the vote in December.
For more on the line, see our Havila Voyages page, our look at five things Havila does well, and our guide to sailing solo with Havila.
More onHavila Voyages