Norwegian government postpones CO2 tax changes after industry pressure, a delay which Fiskebåt believes supports green goals and Arctic preparedness. Photo: Norges Silgesalgslag
Norway’s Ministry of Finance has postponed controversial changes to the CO2 tax regime following months of pressure from the fishing industry and its allies.
The decision was described by Audun Maråk, managing director of Fiskebåt, as “a wise move that benefits Norway, the environment, and our maritime economy.”
“This delay will enable greater value creation, improved emergency preparedness, and lower CO2 emissions,” said Maråk. “It gives our industry the chance to implement green technology under fairer conditions.”
According to Fiskebåt, the proposed changes would have placed Norwegian vessels at a competitive disadvantage compared to their European counterparts. “We operate in an international market. Our tax rules should be aligned with those of our main competitors in the EU,” Maråk added.
The organisation confirmed that it will continue to participate constructively in further assessments related to environmental levies.
Fiskebåt also highlighted the importance of maintaining operational capacity in the Arctic and the continued availability of bunkering stations in Norway’s northern regions. Maråk warned that the original proposal risked undermining both.
“We’re grateful for the dialogue we’ve had with various government representatives,” he said. “And we appreciate the cooperation of trade union LO, environmental NGO Zero, and BunkerOil in working together to find a sensible solution.”
The Ministry of Finance has not yet published a revised timeline for implementing the CO2 tax amendments.