Norway’s implementation of the FuelEU Maritime regulation has been delayed once again, with the rule now not expected to take effect before January 1, 2028, according to Ship & Bunker.
According to Ship & Bunker, the Norwegian Maritime Authority confirmed on Tuesday that the regulation may enter into force under the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement no earlier than that date. The announcement cites the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment as the source of the update.
This marks the latest in a series of postponements. Ship & Bunker reports that it had previously expected FuelEU Maritime to enter force in Norway this year, after the timeline had already slipped from the start of 2026 to spring 2026, before now moving further out to 2028.
Why the Delay Matters
EU regulations such as FuelEU Maritime only take legal effect in Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein once formally incorporated into the EEA Agreement, which extends EU rules to these non-EU members alongside the EU bloc itself, as explained by Ship & Bunker.
Until that incorporation happens, Norwegian and Icelandic ports will keep being classified as third-country ports under FuelEU Maritime, the report notes.
Marte Hustveit Hauge, Senior Legal Adviser at the Norwegian Maritime Authority, was quoted by Ship & Bunker as saying: “Until the Regulation enters into force under the EEA Agreement, only half of the energy used on voyages between a port of call in Norway or Iceland and a port of call in the EU will be counted for FuelEU compliance purposes.” Hauge added that “energy consumed on voyages within Norway or between Norway and non-EU countries during this period will not be counted for FuelEU compliance purposes.”
Does This Matter to You?
Vessel operators and charterers running routes through Norwegian or Icelandic ports may need to keep recalculating their FuelEU compliance obligations as this timeline continues to shift. The current third-country treatment means only half the energy used on voyages between Norway or Iceland and EU ports counts toward compliance, while voyages within Norway or between Norway and non-EU countries are excluded entirely from FuelEU accounting for now, per the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s statement.
Bunker traders and suppliers active in Norwegian ports should also note that compliance-driven fuel demand patterns tied to FuelEU may develop differently than in EU ports until the regulation is formally incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
