Technical Issue Aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen Delays Antarctic Cruise Schedule: Incident on 18 November 2024

On 16 November 2024, the expedition cruise ship MS Fridtjof Nansen, operated by Hurtigruten, encountered a technical issue while en route to Ushuaia, Argentina. The vessel continued safely to port and all passengers disembarked without incident; however, the technical problem has resulted in the cancellation of the ship's next scheduled Antarctic cruise departure on 18 November 2024.

Hurtigruten confirmed that the technical issue did not compromise the vessel's safety or structural integrity. Onboard technicians addressed the problem during the voyage, and the operator is now contacting affected passengers to arrange rebooking options and return travel assistance.

The specific nature of the technical issue has not been publicly disclosed by Hurtigruten. The problem was identified while the MS Fridtjof Nansen was en route to Ushuaia, and technicians onboard worked to resolve it as the vessel continued its journey. The ship arrived safely at its destination port with all passengers and crew unharmed.

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• None reported.

Rescued

• All passengers and crew safely disembarked at Ushuaia.

The technical issue has necessitated the cancellation of the MS Fridtjof Nansen's Antarctic cruise scheduled to depart on 18 November 2024. Hurtigruten is actively contacting all affected passengers and offering rebooking options on alternative departures, as well as arranging return travel home. The operator acknowledges the significant disruption, particularly given the unique and often once-in-a-lifetime nature of Antarctic expeditions.

The vessel has safely reached Ushuaia. Hurtigruten is managing passenger assistance and rebooking arrangements. The operator has not disclosed a timeline for the ship's return to service or details of the technical remediation work required.