Large cruise ships will be able to visit Norway's most famous fjord until 2032.
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There has been a deadline looming for cruise ships sailing through the world-famous Norwegian fjords since 2018. At the time, the government decided that by 2026, all ships except zero-emission vessels would be banned from sailing through the World Heritage fjords.
However, with major cruise lines already including alternative ports on their 2026 Norwegian routes, the Norwegian government has now reversed course, postponing implementation of the decision for six years, effectively giving cruise lines more than seven years before the ban begins.
Small vessels must be zero-emission
The government explained in a press release (in Norwegian only) that the original ruling still applies to tourist ships and ferries with a gross tonnage of less than 10,000 tons.
Small cruise ships are at least twice as large, so the rules essentially only apply to passenger ferries and tourist boats, which will have to be zero-emission from 1 January 2026, but many of the ships operating in the fjords are already zero-emission.
For larger ships, including some of the world's largest cruise ships that regularly visit Norwegian fjords, the requirement will come into force on January 1, 2032.
The announcement follows extensive consultations with the industry on how the 2018 decision should be implemented.
A Stranda Port Authority spokesman praised the government's new approach, saying it “successfully balances stringent environmental requirements with practical technological developments and the minister has listened to feedback from across the industry.”
More time for technological development
Norway's parliament has decided that zero-emissions requirements for tourist ships and ferries must be implemented by 2026, but changes are needed to ensure ports in the country's World Heritage fjords don't lose vital tourist traffic.
The UNESCO World Heritage fjord region includes Aurlandsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord, Sanilvefjord and Tafjord.
The region's ports, which include world-famous cruise destinations such as Flåm and Geiranger, rely heavily on tourism, and particularly cruise ship traffic, for their economies. The requirement will be implemented gradually, as parliament “recognizes that the technology is not yet advanced enough for larger ships.”
Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen said it was important to find a solution “that follows Parliament's decision on zero emissions in the World Heritage fjords, stimulates technological development, takes into account the port tourism industry and provides sufficient predictability for the tourism industry.”
To meet the zero-emissions requirement, small vessels will be allowed to use biogas, a renewable energy source produced from organic matter such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, vegetable matter, sewage, green waste and food waste.
To maintain essential regional transportation services, local ferries will be temporarily exempt from the zero-emissions requirement.
Shore power should also be used where available, which is why Parliament also decided that the state should fund the installation of shore power for Frome.
Strong criticism from Havilah
While the global cruise industry and passengers will no doubt welcome the news, not all tour operators are happy, particularly Norway's Havila Voyages, which described the move as a “scandal” for the government's environmental efforts.
Havila Capella is one of four new ships from Havila Voyages that can sail emission-free for up to four hours.
David Nickel
The company, which operates coastal cruise ferries on Norway's historic fast coastal shipping routes, has been investing heavily in new vessels that can operate emission-free in the fjords.
Bent Martini, CEO of Havilah Voyages, said the government's decision prioritised commercial interests over genuine environmental measures and was “a victory for those who would not invest in a greener future”.
Martini stressed that the use of biogas is not a true zero-emissions solution, but rather climate neutral. He expressed concern that the delay would undermine significant investments by companies such as Havilah Voyages, which had already committed significant funds to meet the original 2026 deadline.
Martini also warned that the decision could eliminate immediate demand for future green technologies, such as hydrogen projects, and hinder their development.
Promoting Norwegian Fjord Cruises
With few cruise ships capable of meeting the requirements by 2026, cruise lines will be scrambling to reschedule their Norwegian Fjord cruises after 2026 to include popular destinations in the Norwegian Fjords.
In Geiranger you can experience a scenic voyage along the Geirangerfjord, passing historic farms and beautiful waterfalls.
Meanwhile, Flåm offers cruise passengers the opportunity to board the world-famous Flåm Railway, often voted one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, and enjoy a voyage along the Aurlandsfjord.
