Commitment to zero-emission technology

The county council in Vestland, Norway, made a very positive decision yesterday (3/12/19). Route package 2 (local boat routes in Flora, Bremanger, Vågsøy, Høyanger and Vik municipalities) and route package 3 (local boat routes in Gulen and Solund municipalities) in Sogn og Fjordane will continue with the tender process as planned by Sogn- og Fjordane County Council. In addition, there may be some adjustments in line with the recommendations that came in the hearing process.

Short routes

The main vessels in route package 2 (with the exception of the vessels Måløy-Silda, Måløy-Hennøystranda and a smaller part of Florø-Barekstad-Batalden-Fanøy) will incorporate zero emission technology from 2022 at the earliest and from 01.05.2024 at the latest. There is a requirement that all energy that directly or indirectly powers the main vessels must be certified as renewable. The vessels in route package 3 and exceptions in route package 2 can run on fossil fuels.

Long energy-intensive routes

For route package 1 (the four express ferries that run between Sogn and Fjordane - Bergen), the county council wants to implement an alternative procurement process, a development contract is being considered. The goal is for the introduction of zero-emission technology from the start of the new contract in May 2022, and will be required by latest 1 May 2024. All energy for operation of the vessels must be certified as renewable. Read more about decisions for all routes here (in Norwegian)