The Port of Oslo will introduce a strengthened set of environmental incentives from 2026 to grant zero-emission vessels a full exemption from quay fees.
Under the revised tariff structure, ships that sail emission free when entering and leaving the port will receive a 100 percent discount on quay fees. Additional reductions will be linked to the use of shore power and performance against the Environmental Port Index for cruise ships and the Environmental Ship Index for all vessels. Existing rebates for scheduled traffic, including the 20 percent discount, will be withdrawn on the basis that incentives should focus on operators making demonstrable emissions cuts.
CEO and Port Director, Ingvar M. Mathisen, said, ‘Choosing zero-emission solutions should pay off. Oslo Port has invested heavily in green measures such as shore power and rewards those who take environmental responsibility.’ The Port of Oslo’s Commercial Director, Einar Marthinussen, noted that the new structure aims ‘to promote environmentally friendly sea transport’.
The policy shift builds on Oslo’s earlier adoption of environmental pricing and supports the city’s ambition to reduce emissions by 95 percent by 2030. Oslo Port is tasked with achieving an 85 percent reduction over the same period. Since 2018 the port has invested NOK 225 million in zero-emission infrastructure, contributing to a 26 percent reduction in emissions from port activities.
Shore power installations since 2018 have been extended to cruise ships, international ferries, bulk carriers, and container vessels. A new cruise shore power facility at Filipstad is due to open in 2026, and shore power connections for tankers are under development. Fast-charging stations for heavy vehicles have been established at Grønlia and Revierkaia.
The development illustrates how local policy may influence operational decisions well ahead of regulatory deadlines. Full exemptions for emission-free arrivals could strengthen the financial case for vessels capable of zero-emission port calls, particularly where compatible shore power infrastructure is already in place. The withdrawal of legacy rebates further tightens the economic signal for operators yet to undertake emissions-reducing upgrades.
The port has emphasised that additional measures will be necessary to reach its 2030 targets. Priority areas include alternative fuels, the development of green maritime corridors, and improved charging capacity across the logistics chain. Mathisen stressed that Oslo aims to be ‘the world’s most environmentally friendly city port’ and that continued investment in zero-emission solutions remains central to positioning the port as a hub for sustainable sea transport.
