Havila Voyages has announced that the first two ships in its fleet will start operations this August.
Havila Capella will begin with cruises along the Norwegian coast on 24 August, while Havila Castor is expected to sail a week later on 30 August.
Sea trials for Havila Capella are scheduled to take place in mid-May. The ship will then be delivered in July. Havila Castor will follow shortly after.
Two more ships, Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux, are scheduled to join the fleet in 2022.
Havila Voyages said in a statement that its ships “will be the most environmentally friendly ships to sail along the Norwegian coastal route and will feature the world’s largest battery packs”.
The battery packs will allow the vessels to sail through the fjords emission free for up to four hours at a time, according to the line. The batteries will then be charged while the ships are in port.
Other environmental initiatives include the use of LNG and a hull designed to be “energy efficient in the Norwegian coastal conditions and a heat recovery system”, the line said.
The ships will be operating as part of a 10-year contract with the Norwegian government to sail the coastal route from Bergen to Kirkenes.
Prices for a six-day southbound voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen start from £497pp, while the 12-day cruise is priced from £829pp.
Havila Voyages UK country manager Matthew Valentine said: “We are incredibly excited about welcoming our first guests on board in August.
“The coastal voyage is the ultimate bucket-list trip, allowing guests to immerse themselves in Norwegian culture and enjoy unique experiences such as the Midnight Sun and magical Northern lights.
“Having a range of durations and payment options gives agents the flexibility to either sell a complete package or add a point-to-point sailing as part of a more complex itinerary.”