The Norwegian fjords will become the world's first zero-emissions zone for shipping no later than 2026.
The country's parliament has voted to halt emissions from cruiseships and ferries in the world heritage areas as soon as technically possible, marine group NCE Maritime CleanTech said.
Shipowner Havila Holding has won one of the contracts to ply the coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes from 2021.
The company said it is perfectly possible to have emissions-free ships and ferries in the Norwegian fjords within a few years.
“Havila welcomes this decision, and not a moment too soon. We’ll be ready to sail emissions-free with our cruiseships in the fjords as early as 2021,” said CEO Per Saevik.
Existing ships will have to be equipped for electric propulsion with battery packs and, in the future, hydrogen.
Several new ships already have, or are planning, such solutions.
In addition, onshore power will be needed in ports to enable vessels to recharge when docked.
New tech coming
Hege Okland, CEO of NCE Maritime CleanTech, said the decision will be of great significance for the industry.
She compared it to the Norwegian parliament’s decision from 2015 that all ferries in new tenders must have low or zero-emission technology.
This has led to an electric revolution in the Norwegian fjords, as more than 60 electrical ferries will be seaborne within the next few years.
“Norway has become a world-leading maritime supplier of low- and zero-emissions solutions. The decision on zero-emission fjords can secure our industry's position in this area, so that Norwegian business will be strengthened and we can provide green solutions also to the rest of the world,” said Okland.
NCE Maritime CleanTech said that last year more than 300,000 cruise passengers visited Geiranger fjord and "this huge traffic has led to high air pollution becoming a major problem for both tourists and residents."
“Tourists come to see pure nature, not fjords full of exhaust," says Katrin Blomvik, director of the Geiranger Fjord World Heritage Foundation.
"Norway also has an international responsibility to manage its world heritage sites. We have long been seeking concrete action, and are therefore very pleased with this decision on emissions-free fjords.”
