TRANSPORTation
When Havila Holding breaks new ground, it generally means “blue field” development.
Experience from sailing the sea in search of fish paved the way for the company’s expansion into maritime transport, and the people of the Norwegian west coast have always looked westward. In the Faeroes, Havila made connections and saw opportunities. Through the company Skansabrekka, it invested in Smyril Line, which ferries passengers and vehicles between Iceland, the Faeroes and Denmark aboard the MS Norrøna, while Smyril Line Cargo operates a fleet of cargo vessels.
The next stage in Havila’s involvement in the maritime transport sector was Fjord1. The Havila Group acquired all the company’s shares and floated it on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2017. But Havila Holding aims to be a long-term owner, and retains control of the company as Fjord1’s majority shareholder.
The shareholding in Fjord1 and day-to-day ferry traffic also opened the door to other types of travel and tourism. Through Fjord1, Havila Holding owns shares in Fjord Tours, The Fjords and WF Holding.
Fjord Tours AS offers round-trips in Norway by train, boat and bus. The company is perhaps most famous for its “Norway in a nutshell” service. The ticket is flexible, and you can stop off along the way and enjoy a few extra days wherever you choose.
The Fjords aims to enhance the experience for the great many who visit Norway’s world-famous fjords. The Fjords is particularly well known for its electrically powered vessels Visions of the Fjords and Future of the Fjords. These passenger catamarans have an innovative design and take tourists on eco-friendly fjord cruises.
WF Holding owns the Norwegian domestic airline Widerøe. Widerøe serves a network of regional and local destinations in the west and north of Norway, as well as some international destinations. Widerøe links people and places together, and thereby helps businesses and populations to flourish in all parts of the country.
With ferries and aircraft, cargo and passenger transport already in its portfolio, Havila Holding was ready for what has become its latest flagship venture in the field of tourism and transport – Havila Voyages whose four ships will ply the Norwegian west coast between Bergen and Kirkenes from January 2021.
Havila Holding has expanded into yet another area of the blue economy.