In Norway, new environmental rules have been introduced for cruise liners heading for some fjords. Environment Minister Ola Elvestuen said that in the fjords with World Heritage status no more wastewater may be discharged. In addition, the exhaust limits are to be gradually reduced. This applies to sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and the burning of garbage on board.
The stricter rules go back to an investigation of the Maritime Office. An analysis of recent years has shown that cruise liners are responsible for high emissions in the fjords, especially during the summer season.
„The new rules are an important contribution to green shipping,“ said Elvestuen. „This will reduce the emissions of increasing cruise traffic in the fjords of the World Heritage in the air and in the water.“
The Norwegian parliament had decided that the traffic in the fjords of the world cultural heritage should be emission-free by 2026. Under World Heritage are the Naeroyfjorden, the Aurlandsfjorden, the Geirangerfjorden, the Sunnylvsfjorden and the Tafjorden. The Maritime Office will now investigate whether the rules should apply to other fjords.
