Havila Voyages cancels three sailings and delays delivery of fourth ship

Havila Voyages has cited licensing issues after cancelling three sailings on new ship Havila Polaris.

Additionally, the delivery of its next ship Havila Pollux has been delayed because of the earthquakes in Turkey.

Departures from Bergen planned for March 5, 16 and 27 have been cancelled due to uncertainty around when the line will “receive the licence from the Irish central bank”.

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Passengers who were booked on affected departures can transfer their booking to a later date or opt for a full refund.

Managing director Bent Martini said: “We were told a processing time of around 10 working days for the licence application, and this deadline has been passed. For the sake of all concerned, we are therefore choosing to postpone start-up on route for Havila Polaris.

“This is very regrettable for our customers, the Norwegian authorities with whom we have an agreement, our partners, the coastal communities and employees.

“This is a situation and process that are not in control over and that we need to find a solution to. It requires decisions made without our impact, and we hope for understanding for that.”

Martini went on to say the delivery of Havila Pollux, being built at Tersan shipyard in Turkey, has been postponed until the end of April.

The line is planning the first round trip for the vessel on May 27.

“The devastating earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria has hit hard, and at the Tersan shipyard a large number of shipyard workers, and many who work with Havila Pollux, have travelled to assist in the disaster areas,” Martini said.

“We fully understand the situation Tersan is in as a result of this and have great sympathy for everyone affected after this tragic natural disaster.”