Norway’s Hurtigruten has posted a pre-tax loss of NOK 301 million on revenues of NOK 3.5 billion in its preliminary results for 2012, compared to a loss of NOK 157 million on revenues of NOK 3.3 billion for 2011.
Hurtigruten described 2012 as a challenging year impacted by European economies leading to a decline in bookings from its major European markets.
Developments in the Nordic region was also said to be disappointing and the company was unable to compensate for the drop in European and Nordic bookings from other markets.
The year-over-year increase in revenues was driven by a general price rise, simplified distribution and lower commission payments.
The Norwegian coastal service represents 81 percent of the company’s revenues with 11 ships sailing year-round between Bergen and Kirkenes. During 2012, extreme weather conditions led to the cancellations of a record number of calls. The company was also impacted by the Sept. 2011 fire on the Nordlys.
The explorer product offered by the Fram was positive for the year, according to Hurtigruten, and its Spitsbergen operations also showed good improvement in 2012.
