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Following the incident on board the coastal cruise ship “MS Havila Polaris” earlier today, the ship will be delayed in its schedule from Ålesund.

On Wednesday, July 24, Havila Polaris experienced overheating in the propulsion system on the port side off Ålesund while en route to the Geirangerfjord. The ship docked at Stranda under its own power, where passengers and part of the crew were evacuated ashore via gangway for safety reasons.

Havila Polaris has now received temporary sailing permission from DNV and the Norwegian Maritime Authority to sail back to Ålesund, where the ship will dock at Storneskaia. Expected arrival at Storneskaia is at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Initially, Havila Polaris will be delayed in its schedule from Ålesund.

“We never compromise on safety and would never sail back to Ålesund unless it was safe for passengers and crew,” says CEO Bent Martini in Havila Voyages.

“It is, of course, unfortunate that we had an incident on board, but as we see it, the crew has handled the situation as well as possible and prevented more significant damage to the ship.”

Passengers on board will be able to stay on the ship in Ålesund, and Havila Voyages will provide more information about the next steps once the extent of the damage is clarified and further plans are made.

“It is important for us to get a complete overview of the damage and how this affects future operations. We need some time for this, in cooperation with our suppliers,” says Martini.

“We will take good care of our passengers and do our utmost to ensure they have a good experience in Ålesund tomorrow,” he concludes.

More information about the future operations of Havila Polaris will be provided as soon as it is available.

Chief Communications Officer Lasse A. Vangstein of Havila Voyages will be available for the media in Ålesund on Wednesday, July 24, from around 11 p.m. and on Thursday, July 25. Please contact by phone at +47 93 44 99 54 to schedule an interview.