Norway set to introduce zero-emission requirements for World Heritage fjords
This is the first of three stories I have chosen to highlight this month, all of which originate from Norway.
For some years, Norway has been at the forefront of driving the decarbonisation agenda and this can be seen in many of their groundbreaking products.
But in many ways perhaps this story is the most striking and boldest illustration so far. I learned that the Norwegian government has announced an environmental initiative to introduce zero-emission requirements for tourist ships and ferries operating in the country’s World Heritage fjords. Commencing from 1st January 2026, the new regulations aim to preserve these natural wonders and promote sustainable tourism.
The regulations will initially apply to tourist ships and ferries under 10,000 gross tons, with a phased implementation plan for larger vessels. Ships exceeding this size threshold will need to comply with the zero-emission mandate by 1st January 2032.
From 1st January 2026, yachts under 10,000 GT and certified for a maximum of 12 passengers will still be permitted to enter the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord. However, larger yachts carrying more than 12 passengers must be zero-emission to gain access. Clearly this presents both a challenge and an opportunity for yacht owners and operators looking to explore the fjords. While these measures present logistical and financial challenges for the shipping and tourism industries, they also open the door to innovation in green maritime solutions. As the 2026 deadline approaches, stakeholders will need to adapt, collaborate, and invest in cleaner technologies to meet these ambitious environmental goals.
I, for one, will be interested to see if this goal to attract new innovators into the sector will be achieved.
Norway set to build world’s first full scale ship tunnel
This would seem to be a dramatic and expansive infrastructure solution to an age old problem, and one I found intriguing. Looking back in time, 33 people have lost their lives in maritime accidents in the region over the past 80 years. The unpredictable currents, strong winds, and frequent storms make navigation difficult. Norway’s solution is to build the world’s first full-scale ship tunnel.
The Stad Ship Tunnel, a 1.7-kilometre-long passage through the Stad Peninsula, will provide vessels with a safe route past the treacherous Stadhavet Sea. The tunnel will connect Moldefjord and Kjodepollen in Vanylvsfjord, cutting through the narrowest part of the Peninsula. It will measure 50 metres in height and 36 metres in width.
The project is expected to cost approximately $400 million and take around five years to complete. The main objective of the project is to enhance maritime safety, as the Stadhavet Sea is one of Norway’s most dangerous waters.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration is currently reviewing the prequalification documents submitted by the six contractors. Their evaluation will focus on technical expertise, professional qualifications, and experience in similar large-scale tunnelling projects. Once completed, the Stad Ship tunnel will be a historic first in maritime engineering, offering safer and more efficient navigation for vessels travelling along Norway’s coast.
World’s first fully electric ferry celebrates 10 years of success
So, here’s my final Norwegian themed story. I still think of fully electric vessels as a relatively new concept, so I was surprised to read that the Norwegian based MF Ampere, the world’s first fully electric ferry, actually went into service in 2015, a decade ago. I don’t recall that event particularly, but clearly it was a ground-breaking moment for those involved and has paved the way for further electrification.
And would you believe it, I understand she has now sailed an astonishing distance equivalent to 17 times around the equator on batteries alone.
“Since 2015, the Ampere has crossed the Sognefjord more than 124,000 times and proven that electrical vessels are both economical and sustainable,” said Fredrik Witte, CEO of Corvus Energy, which supplied the vessel’s 1,090 kWh electric storage system (battery) and shore charging stations, with integration from Siemens.
A decade on and the vessel continues to showcase the transformative potential of electric technology. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many people initially doomed the project. But despite that early resistance, the vessel has successfully demonstrated a model that has now been adopted in hundreds of ferries across the globe.
“To compare, the MF Ampere has 1 MWh of our first-generation batteries installed, but our largest system to date, which will power the Incat ferry in South America, will have almost 42 MWh of our lightweight Dolphin batteries onboard. But without the MF Ampere as our pilot project, we wouldn’t be where we are today in marine electrification,” said Witte.
The smell of Huon Pine here, there, and all over Hobart
For my next story I have taken inspiration from the recently held, hugely popular Australian Wooden Boat Festival, in Hobart, Tasmania. We see fewer and fewer wooden boats in the UK, so it is great to see that boats made from this age-old material still have their place in our affections and are celebrated.
Domenic Genua, Publisher, Marine Business News, reports, “The festival showcased an enormous array of vessels, from the smallest dinghies to exquisitely restored gems, each crafted with remarkable attention to detail. The many tall ships provided a stunning visual backdrop.
“One of the highlights was the festival’s interactivity. I often found myself revisiting different areas, convinced I had missed something. Watching artisans at work, skilled shipwrights demonstrating their craft and even teaching others, was truly inspiring for visitors of all ages.”
The inaugural Australian Wooden Boat Festival was held in November 1994 by boating enthusiasts and friends, Cathy Hawkins, Ian Johnston and Andy Gamlin. The event followed Andy’s visit to a similar evet in Brest in Brittany a few years earlier and was made possible thanks to financial assistance from the Tasmanian State Government and sponsors. The festival is Tasmania’s largest free event and the largest celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture in the Southern Hemisphere. The four-day festival is held biennially in Hobart, spanning the entire waterfront and feeding into the city beyond.
And here’s a future date for your diary – the next edition of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival is scheduled for 5-8 February 2027.
Marking the end of an era
There was something rather sad about seeing this once grand ship, the SS United States, as it finally embarked Philadelphia after three decades on its final journey to become the world’s largest artificial reef. I guess that is ultimately a far better sustainable use for the vessel, rather than leaving the rusting hulk to further deteriorate in a dock.
For those who appreciate historical statistics, she was the holder of the transatlantic speed record. Launched in 1951, the SS United States’ impressive history includes transporting presidents, celebrities, and immigrants. During the Cold War, it was designed with the capability to convert into a troop carrier, able to transport 14,000 troops over 10,000 miles without refuelling.
Following multiple delays and a U.S. Coast Guard review of towing operations, the historic vessel finally left en route to Mobile, Alabama, where she will undergo a 12-month environmental remediation process before being intentionally sunk off the coast of Okaloosa County, Florida.
Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon highlighted the environmental and tourism benefits: “This accomplishment confirms our commitment to remain good stewards of the environment, while also enhancing our community’s status as a premier diving and fishing destination.”
I am not a diver, but if I were, this sounds like becoming a popular future destination in which to head beneath the waves and explore this once mighty structure.
Indian stitched ship based on a 5th century vessel design set for historic voyage
Sometimes one must simply admire the ingenuity of people and their abilities to tackle something out of the ordinary. This is a heart-warming story in turbulent times of sheer endeavour to recreate a vessel using ‘old tech’, as its wooden planks have been stitched together using coconut coir rope, an ancient technique once widely used by Indian shipbuilders.
The vessel has been designed and built entirely in Goa by Hodi Innovations (OPC) Pvt Ltd in collaboration with master artisans from Kerala.
The hull has been treated with sardine oil, natural resins, and seasoned wood to ensure durability at sea. The vessel is expected to undertake a voyage to Oman and Indonesia by the end of 2025, retracing ancient trade routes.
Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area, Rear Admiral K.M. Ramakrishnan, described the project as a revival of India’s grand maritime tradition. “This is not just the launch of a ship, it is a tribute to our ancestors who once ruled these waters,” he said. He is right and I wholeheartedly applaud all who have been involved in this remarkable project.
That’s it for this month. Until next time.
Mike Schwarz
