The government is postponing zero emissions requirements in the world heritage fjords – Havila calls it a scandal

The requirement for zero emissions primarily applies to tourist ships and ferries under 10,000 gross tonnes. Here, the requirements shall apply from 1 January 2026. For larger ships, the requirement applies from 1 January 2032, it is stated in a press release from the government.

Havila CEO Bent Martini points out that the government originally proposed that the requirements should apply to all ships from 2026, but that this is now subject to the largest ships.

– The authorities have given the actors many years to find solutions, but in the end it is pure commercial considerations that remain as winners. This is a victory for those who have not dared to invest in a greener future, says Martini in a press release.

The requirements in question apply in the so-called world heritage fjords. In 2005, the five fjords Nærøyfjorden, Aurlandsfjorden, Geirangerfjorden, Sunnylvsfjorden and Tafjorden were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

– Not zero emissions

He points out that, moreover, it cannot be considered zero emissions when biogas is used, as is allowed. Havila itself has invested over half a billion kroner extra in green solutions in its newly built coastal cruise ships

According to the Ministry of Climate and the Environment, the new requirements also mean that the ships must use shore power where it is available. Until further notice, the county municipality’s scheduled boat is exempt from the zero emission requirement.

Stranda Hamnevesen praises the government’s new regulation because they believe it is actually feasible.

– Here, strict environmental requirements and the actual technological development are in good balance. The Prime Minister has listened to the input from a collective industry, say chairman Per Erik Dalen and port manager Rita B. Maraak in a press release from Stranda Hamnevesen KF.

– Shot for the bow

Both MDG and SV are disappointed by the postponement of the new requirements.

– It is a shame that the government undermines those who go ahead and invest in renewable ships. The message from the government today is that it does not matter much whether the business community invests in green or not. It is completely devastating for environmental work, says party leader Arild Hermstad in MDG to NTB.

SV’s Lars Haltbrekken also believes that the government will let the biggest cruise ships and the biggest polluters go free from environmental requirements for many years to come.

– We fear a setback in the investment in a more environmentally friendly shipping traffic with this. This sends a signal to the industry that they do not need to focus on zero emissions in the coming years. It is bad, he writes in an email to NTB.