Norway delays plan to ban large cruise ships from Norwegian Fjords

Good news for cruise passengers who were planning on sailing in the Norwegian fjords in the next few years: a proposed ban on cruise ships, except zero-emission ones, has been delayed until 2032.

Last week, the Norwegian government reversed a decision it made back in 2018 that would have prevented all except zero-emission vessels from sailing in the World Heritage fjords by 2026.

Implementation of the new rules will now be delayed by six years, which gives cruise lines more than seven years until the ban takes effect.

In a Aug. 27 press release, which is available only in Norwegian, the government explains that the initial ruling still applies to tourist ships and ferries under 10,000 gross tonnes. Here, the requirements will apply from Jan. 1, 2026.

For larger ships, however, the requirement will apply from Jan. 1, 2032.

“The goal is to take care of the spectacular fjords and create sustainable tourism. The requirement for zero emissions will contribute to technology development, lower emissions and secure the world heritage fjords as attractive tourist destinations,” said Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen in a statement.

A UNESCO-designated territory

The western Norwegian fjord landscape is one of eight Norwegian areas on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The world heritage fjords include the five fjords, Nærøyfjorden, Aurlandsfjorden, Geirangerfjorden, Sunnylvsfjorden and Tafjorden.

The delayed ban gives cruise lines more time to design ships that would meet Norway’s requirements. Norway-based Hurtigruten, for one, has already released concept designs for its first zero-emission cruise ship, which it plans to launch in 2030.

Combining 60-megawatt battery solutions with wind technology, the vessel is expected to feature several firsts that do not exist on cruise ships today, including retractable sails with solar panels, artificial intelligence maneuvering, contra-rotating propellers, and multiple retractable thrusters.

The new zero-emission ship is set to be 135 meters long, with 270 cabins that hold 500 guests and 99 crew.

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