Norway approves offshore vessel emissions reduction rules

Norway has approved new regulations requiring offshore vessel operators on the Norwegian continental shelf to progressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2029, as part of the country’s commitments under its climate agreement with the EU.
The rules will require operators to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of offshore vessels by 10% between 2029 and 2031. The requirement will increase in stages, reaching a 40% reduction between 2038 and 2040. The Norwegian Government estimates the measures will deliver total emissions reductions of around 1.6 million tons of CO₂ equivalent over the period covered by the regulation.
Norway said offshore vessels account for the largest share of emissions covered by its obligations under the EU Effort Sharing Regulation. The Government added that the new requirements would encourage the adoption of alternative fuels, including hydrogen and ammonia, while strengthening the country's position in low-emission shipping.
The regulations will not apply to offshore vessels operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf for fewer than 30 days. The Government also stated that compliance cannot be achieved through the use of biofuels.
The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association criticised the exclusion of biofuels and warned that operators could face higher costs as a result. Knut Arild Hareide, chief executive of the Association, said: “The Government is introducing costly, uniquely Norwegian regulations despite great opposition from a united industry.”
The Association argued that biofuels remain one of the few immediately available options for reducing emissions from the existing offshore fleet.