The Norwegian government has introduced new regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from offshore vessels operating on the country’s continental shelf starting from 2029.
Under the framework developed in line with Norway’s climate agreement with the European Union, vessel operators will be required to reduce emission intensity by 10% during 2029–2031 and by 40% during 2038–2040. Vessels operating on the shelf for less than 30 days will be exempt from these requirements.
The new rules are expected to reduce emissions by approximately 1.6 million tons of CO₂ equivalent overall and increase demand for alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.
Norwegian company Eidesvik has already launched a project to convert its offshore vessel Viking Energy to ammonia fuel. Once completed, the vessel is expected to become the world’s first ammonia-powered offshore ship.
At the same time, the government’s decision not to recognize biofuels as a compliance option has drawn criticism from industry representatives. Knut Arild Hareide, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, stated that biofuels are currently the most accessible way to rapidly reduce emissions in the existing fleet, and excluding them would force shipowners toward more expensive and limited alternatives.
Industry representatives believe that, despite widespread objections, the implementation of these regional regulations may create uncertainty within the business environment.
