HX Hurtigruten Expeditions plans to “seriously expand” its fleet and destination range in 2026 following its split from Hurtigruten, according to its chief executive.
Gebhard Rainer said he expected the company to be “fully legally and financially independent”, with a €140 million cash injection from investors, by the middle of January.
Speaking about the expedition company’s longer-term goals, he said: “We don’t want to be known just as a polar or cold-water company that goes to the North or South Pole with a bit of Galápagos in between.
“We want to explore more warm-water destinations. There are numerous places where the work that we do with our ships and passengers would benefit communities.”
He identified “opportunities” in Pacific islands such as Vanuatu where HX could “apply a similar formula” to that which it operates in places including Greenland and the Canadian Arctic.
Rainer predicted 2025 would be “a year of transition”, while 2026 would be where investments “start paying off ” and the line could focus on “growth opportunities”, including expanding its fleet.
“We will have to either place orders [for new-builds] or we may buy ships which can be upgraded or enhanced if needed,” he said.
“2026 is going to be the year we seriously expand and look at growth opportunities, not only from a ship point of view but also from a destination point of view.”
Rainer said the line would “invest more in the trade” in 2025, while also increasing its focus on business-to-consumer sales by refreshing its website to make it easier to book direct.
But he insisted HX “would not compromise” on its commitment to the trade, adding that agents would continue to play a key role in explaining the “complicated product” to consumers.
Rainer revealed HX had already sold 60% of 2025 capacity.
He stressed the “immediate focus” for the brand would be moving away from using the Hurtigruten name, to make sure it is seen as “a standalone entity”.
He said key clients had so far been “very positive” about the split as they agreed it would allow both brands to “focus on what they do best”.
Rainer said the branding change would differ by market, with “a gradual shift” in the UK and European markets.