Animal Rights Groups Say Hvaldimir, the Beluga “Spy” Whale, Was Shot

Animal rights groups on Wednesday said gunfire killed a beluga whale nicknamed Hvaldimir, which became famous in Norway after its unusual harness sparked suspicions the creature was trained by Russia as a spy. The organizations NOAH and One Whale said they … Continue reading

The Strange & Tragic Saga of Hvaldimir, the Beluga “Spy” Whale

Hvaldimir, the beluga “spy” whale has died. The Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that the whale’s body was found floating in the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Saturday by a father and son who were fishing. The beluga, whose nickname was … Continue reading

American Archeologist Dies in Reenactment of Viking Voyage

A crew of 6 adventurers set sail on a 500-nautical-mile voyage in the North Sea from Tvøroyri on the Faroe Islands bound for Trondheim, Norway aboard Naddoddur, a 33′ long Faroese Viking ship replica. The voyage, expected to take 3-5 … Continue reading

Viking Longship Draken Harald Hårfagre Returning Home to Norway

After more than seven years in US waters, the longship Draken Harald Hårfagre, known as the world’s largest Viking ship currently sailing, is returning home to Norway. The 115-foot-long ship left its temporary home at Mystic Seaport Museum on Sunday, … Continue reading

Hurtigruten’s MS Maud Damaged by Rogue Wave in North Sea Storm — Under Tow to Germany

The cruise ship MS Maud was returning to the UK from a 14 night Northern Lights cruise when it was caught in a severe storm in the North Sea. During the storm, the ship was struck by a rogue wave, … Continue reading

Update: Sailing Past the Future Stad Ship Tunnel on MS Trollfjord

This afternoon, sailing south from Ålesund bound for Haugesund, on Hurtigruten’s MS Trollfjord, I noticed something unusual. The ship was pitching and rolling. The motion was gentle but evident. On the previous twelve or so days of the voyage to … Continue reading

Where Cruise Ships Are No Longer Welcome — Amsterdam Latest Port to Impose Ban

Have cruise ships worn out their welcome? Increasingly, port cities around the world are banning or regulating cruise ship dockings and operations in their coastal waters. Amsterdam has become only the most recent to do so. The BBC reports that … Continue reading

Update: Hvaldimir, Beluga “Spy” Whale Returns to Waters Near Oslo

In 2019, we posted about fishermen off the coast of Norway who encountered a beluga whale wearing a harness that read “Equipment of St. Petersburg. Researchers think the beluga may be a Russian spy in training. There was speculation that … Continue reading

Sea Change & MF Hydra — First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Ferries

Two new ferries, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, have or will soon enter service. In Norway, the MF Hydra, the first liquid hydrogen fuel cell powered ferry entered regular service at the end of March. MF Hydra sails on the … Continue reading

Yara Birkeland — Electric, Not-Yet-Autonomous, Container Ship Makes Maiden Voyage

In August we posted Yara Birkeland, Crewless Electric Container Ship, First Voyage by Year’s End.  We noted that if all went according to plan, the ship would make its first journey between two Norwegian towns before the end of the … Continue reading

Bastø Electric, World’s Largest Electric Ferry in Service in Norway

The Daily Scandinavian reported that last March the world’s largest all-electric ferry went into full operation on the 5.67 nautical mile route between the two Norwegian cities of Moss and Horten, on Norway’s busiest ferry route. The new ferry, named … Continue reading

SC Connector — Norway´s Largest Sailing Vessel

Sea-Cargo now has bragging rights to the claim that their 12,251 gross tonne ro-ro, SC Connector, is “Norway’s largest sailing vessel.” The ship was recently refit with two rotor sails by Norsepower and battery banks from Norwegian Electric Systems. The … Continue reading

Update: Cruise Ship Viking Sky Underway After Extremely Close Call

The cruise ship Viking Sky is now underway bound for the port of Molde, Norway, accompanied by a tug and support vessels. Prior to getting underway, 479 passengers were evacuated by helicopters, leaving 436 passengers and 458 crew members onboard. … Continue reading

Fridtjof Nansen, Exploring the Arctic and Saving Refugees

Today’s Google Doodle commemorates the 156th birthday of Fridtjof Nansen — arctic explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Nansen seems particularly relevant in these times as the polar ice cap continues to melt and as refugee … Continue reading

The Viking Longship that Sailed to Chicago in 1893

The replica Viking longship Draken Harald Hårfagre successfully crossed the Atlantic and made it to the the Pepsi Tall Ships Chicago 2016 festival, which took place this weekend, despite challenges associated with paying Great lakes pilotage fees.  Building a replica … Continue reading