Norway will not implement the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation from 1 January 2026 after the Norwegian Maritime Authority said it could not secure the necessary legal clarifications between the EEA/EFTA states and the EU in time, according to an update published by the Norwegian Maritime Authority.
The Authority said it had been working to align the Norwegian start date with the EU timeline, but unresolved cross-jurisdictional issues mean the regulation cannot take effect at the start of 2026.
Entry into force is now expected later in 2026, with a more detailed timetable to be communicated once confirmed. The decision follows a notice issued on 12 December 2025 in which the Authority warned the maritime industry that FuelEU Maritime could enter into force in Norway at short notice, potentially as early as 1 January 2026, after consultations on national legal amendments had been completed.
FuelEU Maritime is an EU regulation intended to reduce the greenhouse-gas intensity of energy used onboard ships calling at European ports over time.
The European Commission has also indicated delays in incorporating the regulation into the EEA Agreement for Norway and Iceland, meaning application in those countries will be postponed until incorporation is completed.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (Sjøfartsdirektoratet) is a government agency under Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries responsible for maritime safety, environmental standards at sea, and the development and enforcement of regulations for Norwegian-flagged vessels and foreign ships operating in Norwegian waters.
Source: Port News
