The case stems from the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s decision on 8 May 2026 to grant Fjord1 a temporary exemption from the zero-emission requirement for the two ferries VEØY and BOLSØY. Both vessels are listed as protected by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage and have a long history of operating in the Geirangerfjord. The exemption made it possible to maintain operations until the end of October 2026 while the application for a permanent exemption was being considered.

The temporary exemption was subsequently overturned by the Ministry of Climate and Environment following an appeal by a competitor.

Fjord1 states that the company continues to maintain that the case raises matters of principle concerning both incorrect information and unjustified unequal treatment. Among other things, Fjord1 has pointed out that the ministry based its decision on incorrect information about the possibility of zero-emission operation in the Geirangerfjord, and that Fjord1 has been treated differently from other operators that have been granted exemptions in the area.

“We believe that key questions concerning both incorrect facts and unequal treatment remain unresolved. We want these issues to be examined further, and Fjord1 will therefore appeal the ruling,” says CEO Geir Bruvik Mjelde.

Fjord1 acknowledges the District Court’s decision but disagrees with the assessments on which it is based. The company will therefore suspend operations on the route from Friday 4 September up to and including Tuesday 8 September while pursuing the case further through the courts.

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