HX Expeditions, the largest exploratory tourism operator in the Arctic, concluded its 2026 season with significant achievements. This season included 31 trips to the Arctic, where thousands of guests became acquainted with the wildlife, landscapes, and communities of the region, and 26,491 scientific contributions were gathered from travelers.
Unparalleled Experience with Scientific Contributions
On the occasion of the 130th anniversary of HX Expeditions, this program was particularly significant. The company's first trip to Svalbard in 1896 brought together a group of guests, scientists, and biologists to gain a better understanding of the Arctic. Now in 2026, HX, combining its deep experience in the Arctic with scientific contributions, provided travelers with a unique opportunity to learn about the environment and wildlife of this region.
Read more: Challenges of Modernizing Ship Control Systems by McClagg Engineering
During this season, HX conducted 31 trips to the Arctic and held 363 scientific sessions at sea, achieving an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Tripadvisor. This season also saw the highest suite registrations in HX's history, indicating a high demand for luxury exploratory travel.
Scientific Innovations and Use of Artificial Intelligence
Another scientific achievement for HX was the AI WAVE (Whales and Arctic Vessels) project, which represents an innovative collaboration between Heriot-Watt University and marine monitoring specialists Seiche. This project involved testing an intelligent visual identification system aboard the MS Fram, utilizing thermal imaging technology and artificial intelligence to identify whales in real-time. The testing began during the MS Fram's journey from Dover to Svalbard and continued throughout the polar summer.
This system is designed to detect surface activities and breathing of whales, and by using thermal cameras and machine learning, the collected data will aid in training future species identification systems. This project serves as a model for scientific collaborations, transportation, and technology aimed at developing scalable tools for safer and more sustainable operations in sensitive waters.
HX also offered a free Svalbard training course in collaboration with the University of Tasmania, which introduces wildlife, ecosystems, and the history of the region. This course helps guests familiarize themselves with the principles of responsible exploration before their trip.
HX also announced that it will extend its Greenland commitment until the end of the 2028 season. This promise provides guests and travel partners with greater assurance in planning their Greenland trips and offers flexible options in case of trip cancellations.
Dr. Verna Meraldi, Senior Scientist at HX, emphasized the importance of science in exploratory travel, noting that this season represents effective collaboration between operators, research centers, and guests that contributes to a deeper understanding of Arctic conservation.
Read more: Farshad Ebrahimpour: Independence and Local Capacities Shape Iran's Power · Cynthia Worley Emphasizes Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in the Shipping Industry
