courtesy REM Maritime

The success of a fund to curb noxious gas emissions means owners of Norwegian offshore service vessels could soon be compelled by politicians as well as asked by oil companies to switch motors to natural gas-driven rather than diesel motors on future new-builds.

The Nordic country’s nitrogen-oxide fund replaces a NOx tax for oil companies and shipping companies willing to pool money to come up with emissions-reduction technology, from fuel-enhancement and carbon-scrubbing to new power generation and engine re-builds. The fund takes voluntary payments smaller than the tax, but Environment Minister Erik Solheim said he would consider a regulation aimed at getting companies to choose gas or better technology, newspaper Aftenposten has reported.

The paper reported 426 companies have joined the deal, or 85 percent of those once subject to the NOx tax.

According to Norwegian offshore supply ship owners, gas-powered ships cut noxious-gas emissions 90 percent and carbon-dioxide 22 percent.

Norway is bound to the United Nations’ Gøteborg Protocol aimed at cutting emissions of nitrogen oxides by 30 percent of 2004 levels by 2010. The oil industry accounts for some 22 percent of emissions.

The bulk of the world’s supply ships are now partly built or classified in Norway.

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