The CEO of Hurtigruten, a Norwegian cruise company, has issued a warning that the cruise industry must evolve or potentially face extinction. Hedda Felin expressed concerns over the rapid expansion of the cruise industry in an interview, emphasizing the need for greater responsibility from passengers visiting ports and the elimination of polluting fuels to mitigate the industry’s environmental impact.
Of particular worry to Hedda is the size of cruise ships and the strain their large passenger capacities place on coastal communities. Without implementing restrictions, she anticipates the proliferation of anti-cruise ship protests similar to those seen in cities like Barcelona and Venice.
Amid a period of unprecedented growth in the cruise sector, with projections indicating a substantial increase in revenue by 2035, Norway, where Hurtigruten is headquartered, has seen a 70% surge in cruise traffic since 2019, a development that Hedda finds overwhelming.
One of the primary grievances voiced by residents and workers in bustling cruise ports is the limited spending by passengers during their short visits. Hedda advocates for stricter regulations, such as banning heavy oil fuel along coastlines and imposing restrictions on emissions, to address these concerns.
Hedda asserts that the key issue lies in the type of growth the industry is experiencing. While Hurtigruten has expanded its fleet, the CEO aims for a more environmentally conscious approach, endorsing size limitations on future ships and striving to create the most energy-efficient cruise product by 2030.
Despite differing perspectives on the industry’s future, with some like Jonny Peat expressing optimism about its growth potential, there is a consensus on the need for responsible and sustainable practices to ensure the longevity of the cruise sector in the face of escalating concerns over environmental impact and community disruption.
