New environmentally-friendly Norwegian coastal cruise line Havila Voyages is set to start operations in spring 2021.

The shipping company has ordered four new build ships, which have been designed to be the most environmentally-friendly vessels to operate along the iconic coastal route from Bergen to Kirkenes.

The first two ships, Havila Castor and Havila Capella, will begin sailings from spring 2021, with two more, Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux, following in 2022.

The coastal voyages will sail through the Norwegian fjords, Unesco world heritage sites and up to the Arctic circle.

The ships are operating as part of a 10-year Government-funded contract to sail the historic coastal route.

Ahead of the launch, the Norwegian cruise line has announced the appointment of Matthew Valentine as country manager for the UK & Ireland, with additional responsibility for some other territories.

Valentine was previously at Hurtigruten, where he was a key part of the commercial management team for six years, most recently as head of sales EMEA.

Prior to Hurtigruten, he also held positions at Cox and Kings, Kirker, Croatian Villas and The Traveller.

He commented: “The iconic Norwegian coastal voyage offers a cruise unlike any other.

“Sailing through narrow fjords, four Unesco heritage sites and travelling high up into the Arctic circle, in a small cruise ship is an experience our guests will never forget. We have some exciting plans for our inaugural programme in 2021, details of which will be unveiled later this summer.

“I’m delighted to be joining such a dynamic business and I look forward to working with UK based operators and agents in the months and weeks to come.”

The family-owned Norwegian shipping company’s headquarters are based in Fosnavåg in Sunnmøre on the west coast of Norway.

Visit havilakystruten.no for more information.