Since 2018, the clock has been ticking for cruise ships sailing in the world-famous Norwegian fjords. At that time, a government decision was made that prohibits all but zero-emission ships from sailing in the World Heritage fjords until 2026.

However, since the major cruise lines’ itineraries to Norway for 2026 already include alternative ports, the Norwegian government has changed course. The implementation of the ruling will be delayed by six years, so cruise lines essentially have more than seven years before the ban comes into force.

Small ships must be emission-free

In a press release (available in Norwegian only), the government states that the original regulation will continue to apply to tourist ships and ferries under 10,000 gross register tons.

Since even small cruise ships have a gross tonnage of at least twice that, the regulation essentially only applies to passenger ferries and excursion ships. These ships must be emission-free from 1 January 2026, although many ships operating in the fjords already do so.

For larger ships, including some of the largest cruise ships in the world that regularly call at the Norwegian fjords, the obligation will come into force on 1 January 2032.

The announcement came after a long period of consultation with relevant industries on how exactly the 2018 decision should be implemented.

A spokesman for Stranda Port Authority praised the government’s new approach: “Strict environmental requirements are well balanced with actual technological development. The minister has listened to feedback from the entire industry.”

More time for technology development

The Norwegian Parliament has decided that zero-emission tourist ships and ferries must be introduced by 2026. However, changes are needed to ensure that ports in the World Heritage fjords do not miss out on important tourist traffic.

The fjord area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes the Aurlandsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord, Sunnylvsfjord and Tafjord.

Ports in the region – including world-famous cruise destinations such as Flåm and Geiranger – rely on tourism, and cruise traffic in particular, as the main engine of their economy. The requirements will now be implemented gradually as Parliament “acknowledges that technology is not yet sufficiently advanced for larger ships”.

Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen said it was important to find a solution that “implements Parliament’s decision on zero emissions in the World Heritage fjords, stimulates technological development, takes into account the tourism industry in the ports of call and provides the industry with sufficient predictability.”

To meet the zero-emission target, smaller ships are allowed to use biogas. Biogas is a renewable energy source produced from organic materials such as agricultural waste, fertilizers, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste or food waste.

To maintain essential local transport services, local ferries will be temporarily exempted from the zero-emission requirement.

It is also mandatory to use shore power when it is available. Therefore, Parliament has also decided that the state should finance the construction of shore power in Flåm.

Sharp criticism from Havila

While the cruise industry and its passengers will no doubt welcome the news, not every travel company is pleased. In particular, Norwegian company Havila Voyages called the move a “scandal” for the government’s environmental efforts.

The company, which operates coastal cruise ferries on Norway’s historic coastal express route, has invested huge sums in new ships that can operate emission-free in the fjords.

Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages, said the government’s decision favored commercial interests over genuine environmental protection measures and called it “a victory for those who did not dare to invest in a greener future.”

Martini stressed that the use of biogas is not a truly zero-emission solution but is climate neutral. He expressed concern that this delay undermines the significant investments made by companies such as Havila Voyages, which had already committed significant funds to meet the original 2026 deadline.

In addition, Martini warned that the decision could hamper the development of future green technologies, such as hydrogen projects, as the immediate demand for such innovations would disappear.

A boom for cruises to the Norwegian fjords

Since very few or no cruise ships will be able to meet the requirements by 2026, cruise lines will now surely do everything in their power to adapt their Norwegian fjord cruises for 2026 and beyond to include popular destinations in the Norwegian fjords.

In Geiranger, guests can experience a beautiful entry into the Geirangerfjord past historic farms and beautiful waterfalls.

Meanwhile, Flåm offers cruise passengers the opportunity to ride the world-famous Flåm Railway, often voted one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world, and enjoy the cruise along the Aurlandsfjord.