Holmås wants stricter requirements for cruise industry

CruiseNorway.Cruise.Photo:Pixabay

The Socialist Left Party (SV) believes lack of environmental standards for cruise ship damages the Norwegian fjords. ‘Only zero emissions is good enough’, said Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås.

Holmås offered Hurtigrutens’ new hybrid ship as an example that it’s possible to cut emissions in the fjords completely, said the newspaper VG.

‘Fjords are destroyed by pollution from cruise tourism. When Hurtigruten shows it’s possible to cut emissions completely, it is time for the government to impose stricter requirements on the cruise industry’, said Holmås, the party’s environmental and transport policy spokesman.

Only zero emissions is good enough if we care about fjords and climate.

Climate and Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen says that the Norwegian authorities are already doing a lot to ensure green shipping.

He said Norway has been a ‘clear driving force’ for stricter international requirements for cruise ships.

He also asked that Sjøfartsdirektoratet (NMD) identify emissions and propose measures for greener cruises in Norwegian fjords.

This task will be delivered in the first quarter of 2017, said the Minister.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today