Norway has amended its Environmental Safety Regulations, which means mandatory zero emission operating requirements are now in force for all passenger ships entering Norway’s World Heritage fjords (Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord). Responsibility for compliance rests with the shipping company.

The following requirements apply regardless of whether ships operate entirely within the fjords or only transit them:

• Since 1 January 2026, all passenger ships below 10,000 GT must operate on energy sources that produce no direct carbon dioxide (CO₂) or methane (CH₄) emissions while within the World Heritage fjords.
• From 1 January 2032, the same requirement will extend to ships of 10,000 GT and above
• Shore power systems: shipping companies must also ensure that their ships connect to shore power systems whenever compatible facilities are available to minimise emissions when berthed in fjord ports.

Compliant energy solutions

The regulation is technology neutral, allowing shipowners flexibility in selecting compliant energy solutions.

• Zero emission energy sources may include battery electric systems, green hydrogen, green ammonia, or other fuels meeting the regulatory definition
• Limited quantities of traditional “pilot fuels” may still be used where necessary to ignite alternative fuels, such as diesel ignition for ammonia combustion engines.
• Where zero emission fuels generate N₂O, ships must fit and operate best available technology to mitigate these emissions.

Zero-emission fuel qualification

Additionally, there are requirements for fuel sustainability and certification, aligned to FuelEU Maritime and the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED). These requirements must be achieved to qualify as a zero-emission fuel. These include:

Renewable fuels of non biological origin

• These must achieve 70% or greater greenhouse gas reduction, measured under EU methodologies.
• Verification that electricity used in production meets renewable criteria.

Use of biogas

Biogas is permitted as an alternative to full zero emission solutions, including beyond 2032, as long as:

• It achieves 50% to 65% GHG reduction depending on production date.
• It is not produced from food or feed crops.
• It is bunkered within the final month prior to entering the fjords.
• The quantity bunkered matches the expected energy demand during the fjord voyage.
• It is kept separate from fossil fuels until bunkering.

Biogas certification linked to gas grid mass balance systems will not be accepted. The use of liquid biofuels is not permitted.

Fuel types such as blue hydrogen must be certified under FuelEU Maritime and demonstrate required GHG reductions.

Documentation and enforcement

Ships must carry onboard documentation demonstrating:

• Compliance with sustainability and GHG reduction criteria.
• Proper certification of fuels in accordance with EU recognised voluntary or national schemes.
• Supporting bunker delivery notes and additional information specified under FuelEU Maritime.

Failure to comply

Non compliance may result in administrative measures or violation fines under the Ship Safety and Security Act.

No requirement for verification

The regulation does not require verification of actual ship emissions. Instead, compliance is presumed if the ship uses an approved energy source that meets the zero emission definition and, where relevant, uses best available technology to reduce nitrous oxide (N₂O). The regulation focuses on fuel properties, not measured output.

Possible temporary exemptions

Temporary exemptions may be granted by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) for individual passenger ships of less than 10,000 GT, but only if all the following conditions are met:

• Operational history: The ship must have operated in the World Heritage fjords in 2024 and in every year thereafter up to the date of the application.
• Compliance with all other rules: The ship must meet all other operational requirements applicable to the World Heritage fjords.
• Lack of shore‑power access: The company must demonstrate that it cannot meet the zero‑emission requirement solely because shore power is not available to the ship.
• Plan to secure shore‑power access: The company must present a credible plan for obtaining access to shore power.

If granted, the exemption may be valid for up to two years at a time but cannot be extended beyond 31 December 2029.