“This is the first stage of an important and exciting assignment from the Ministry of Climate and Environment. We will work in close collaboration with the stakeholders and look very much forward to get started,” says Linda Bruås, Head of Department of Legislation and International Relations in the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA).
The NMA is acting in response to a request from the Ministry of Climate and Environment, and the deadline for submission is 31 December 2022.
This work should be based on previous studies. An assessment should be made of the need to update the knowledge base related to the state of technological development and other relevant aspects, such as local and commercial interests.
Collaboration is key
The Ministry of Climate and Environment has asked the NMA to carry out an assessment of the administrative and economic consequences of the implementation of the requirements, as well as other societal effects. This includes an assessment of measures that could be relevant to ensure that the World Heritage fjords will remain ports of call for cruise ships beyond 2026.
The assignment will include ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, such as municipalities and port authorities, through the establishment of a reference group. The NMA is requested to involve other affected agencies in this process.
The work will be organised as a project, and the first phase is to update the knowledge base with regard to the state of technological development. The NMA's Centre for Innovation and New Maritime Technology will play a key role in this work.
The knowledge base related to technological state should be completed by 15 June.
Invitation to join the reference group
The NMA is in the process of establishing a reference group. Any stakeholders who are interested in participating should contact Henrikke Roald, project manager and senior legal adviser, by e-mail by 13 May at the latest.
“The submission deadline is 31 December. It is therefore important that everyone who wants to contribute to the process takes prompt action,” says Roald.
The NMA will present an overview of the reference group when the list of interested members is complete.
The knowledge base for other relevant aspects, such as local and commercial interests, also needs to be updated.
In this connection, the reference group will be used as a source of information and advice. Moreover, we aim to complete the assessment of administrative and economic consequences by 15 October.
Milestones:
|
Knowledge base related to technological state has been updated |
15 June 2022 |
|
Knowledge base for other relevant aspects, such as local and commercial interests, has been updated |
15 June 2022 |
|
Impact assessment has been conducted |
15 Oct 2022 |
|
Relevante measures have been identified |
15 Oct 2022 |
|
Other agencies have had the opportunity to contributed |
15 Oct 2022 |
|
Proposed regulatory text and consultation documents have been completed |
31 Dec 2022 |
The Storting's consideration:
The Storting considered a Private Member’s Motion (23 S (2020-2021)) to postpone the requirement for zero emissions in the World Heritage fjords by 2026, cf. Innst. 251 S (2020-2021). The Motion was not pursued.
On 25 February, the Storting adopted the following two additional resolutions:
The Storting asks the Government to contribute to the implementation of measures initiated by local and regional authorities in order to reduce emissions and discharges in the World Heritage fjords (Resolution No. 690).
The Storting asks the Government to propose measures to ensure that the World Heritage fjords will remain ports of call for cruise ships beyond 2026, partly by ensuring that the Norwegian State will secure the installation of shore power facilities in Flåm as planned by 2022 (Resolution No. 691).