Norway's Ministry of Climate and Environment has confirmed additional delays for the adoption of the European Union's FuelEU Maritime and ReFuel Aviation regulations. The new target for their entry into force in Norway is now January 1, 2028, at the earliest. This represents a further deferral from the initial plan.
FuelEU Maritime, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, became effective within the EU on January 1, 2025. Norway had previously postponed its implementation until the beginning of 2026 due to complexities related to its integration into the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement and subsequent incorporation into Norwegian law. Until these regulations are adopted, Norway and Iceland are treated as third-country ports under FuelEU Maritime.
For freight forwarders and shippers, this delay means that vessels calling at Norwegian ports will not be subject to FuelEU Maritime's emissions requirements for an extended period. This could offer a temporary competitive advantage or simpler compliance for routes involving Norway compared to direct EU port calls. However, it also creates a fragmented regulatory landscape, requiring careful attention to compliance based on the specific ports of call within Europe. Air cargo operations to and from Norway will similarly see a delay in the application of ReFuel Aviation standards.
