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– The Hurtigruten is important to local communities along the coast, especially in the extreme north of the country. This is not desirable for either party, and I would like to see that we can continue normal operation on the coastal route with daily stops between Bergen and Kirkenes. Unfortunately, we now have a challenging situation that requires changes to the route, says Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide in a press release.
He adds that the government has chosen to prioritize areas with limited alternatives for the transport of goods and long-distance passengers, as well as ensuring more frequent stops at ports further north.
Wrong medicine
The corona pandemic and travel restrictions have had major consequences for Hurtigruten’s income base. Since the beginning of October, the company has sailed with only two ships on the Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen route. From October 24 and 27, respectively, the ships will serve the Bodø-Kirkenes-Bodø section.
The message from the Ministry of Transport and Communications makes the Norwegian Naval Officers Association react.
– Of course we understand that they want to prioritize supply capacity in Northern Norway, but we think this is the wrong medicine. Here, Hurtigruten should put more ships into operation, so that capacity is maintained along the entire coast, says senior advisor Jens Folland.
Read also: Hurtigruten cuts routes: the coastal municipality fears for the supply of medicines
– Complete insanity
Fredrik Finne is a port captain and general manager of the port of Ørnes. React forcefully to the fact that Hurtigruten will not stop at any port south of Bodø.
– It’s complete madness. The coast must protest, he tells NRK.
The Ørnes port is one of the places Hurtigruten does not visit now.
– Hareide should increase the number of ships by two, so that four ships operate at all times in Bergen-Kirkenes. There is a minimum to keep the coastal route alive, Finne says.
