The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) fined Greek operator Global Cruise Lines Ltd. a total of US$80,000 for "using 0.17% sulphur fuel in a 0.10% sulfur ECA zone."
In March 2019, new Norwegian environmental requirements for emissions in a number of protected fjords - Aurlandsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Naeroyfjord, Tafjord, and Sunnylvsfjord - entered into force. The fine for the cruise ship operator is the first issued in connection with the new rules. On April 16, NMA received reports concerning smoke emissions from the CMV Magellan cruise ship, which was berthed in Flam, Norway.
NMA surveyors boarded the cruise ship when the next day she arrived at Port Geiranger and measured the sulfur content of the vessel’s fuel to be 0.17%, or 0.07% points above the regional limit.
CMV Magellan had made calls at Eidfjord and Flam before the visit to Geiranger. Both ports are situated within the North Sea ECA with a maximum allowable fuel sulfur content of 0.10%.