| Pollution from Cruise ships are a growing problem. | | | | predicts the future, saying “ These ships will |
| New rules can stop pollution cruiseships from | | | | also be stopped in other harbours around the |
| entering the fjords in Norway the next years. | | | | world. In practice this means that such ships will |
| Cruise ships and other large marine vessels have | | | | disappear”, meaning that old ships that pollutes |
| diesel engines, big as houses, that are major | | | | a lot will have no places to sail. |
| sources of air pollution. One cruise ship discharges | | | | The new rules are very restrictive when it comes |
| 1/5 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides, 1.3 | | | | to discharging nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. |
| tons of sulfur oxides (the equivalent of a large | | | | When practiced, these rules also will reduce the |
| cement plant), 253 pounds of carbon dioxide, 100 | | | | damages after an eventually disasters, something |
| pounds of volatile organic compounds, and 75 | | | | that people living along the cost appreciates. |
| pounds of particulate matter. | | | | “We have seen which damages heavy oil |
| While in port, the cruise ships spew diesel exhaust | | | | from ships can do to the wildlife and beaches |
| by the ton when running on-board air conditioners | | | | here in Norway” a man living almost by the |
| and refrigerators. An average cruise ship produces | | | | seaside said. |
| as much air pollution as 12,000 or more cars in a | | | | And for those wondering - there are other good |
| single port visit, according to the Monterey Air | | | | reasons to make these new rules – |
| Pollution Control District. | | | | remember that the Norwegian fjords are quite |
| In some of the small towns along the Norwegian | | | | unique. The Geiranger Fjord for instance, tops the |
| fjords this has been a large problem the last | | | | list of the 10 best sites in Scandinavia, according |
| years. According to an article in the Norwegian | | | | to the "Lonely Planet" travel guide. And that, |
| newspaper Aftenposten 14.06.2006, results from | | | | according to "Lonely Planet," includes sites in |
| calculations done by the Norwegian Institute for | | | | Finland, Iceland, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands |
| Air Research show that one of Norway's most | | | | as well. And both the Geirangerfjord and the |
| popular tourist destinations, Geiranger, often | | | | Nærøyfjord have since 2005 been on the United |
| featured in promotional materials, can have air | | | | Nations' "World Heritage" list. |
| quality that's on par with London or Glasgow. | | | | But what about tourist that would like to visit the |
| Some days, when maybe four or five cruise ships | | | | fjords. Founder of the internet site that gives |
| have sailed into the narrow Geirangerfjord, the | | | | tourists in Norway advices, Linn Haugen, gives the |
| concentration of nitrogen dioxide is at about the | | | | following advice : |
| same level found in such cities as London, | | | | “ Do not be afraid to ask your tour-operator |
| Glasgow, Barcelona, Munich and Oslo. The main | | | | about their cruiseship – the age of it, and if |
| reason to this major problem in Norway is that | | | | they can guarantee that the ships engines not |
| there are many old cruise ships, with engines that | | | | operate on heavy oil- for instance. If they can not |
| operates on heavy oil, that traffics the Norwegian | | | | give you an answer, ask if them to check it up |
| cost and fjords in summertime. | | | | and come back to you – demand an answer. |
| The Norwegian minister of environment, Eirik | | | | Give a thought to those living along the beautiful |
| Solheim calls the new rules “ a big victory for | | | | fjords, they would appreciate that their |
| Norway, the cost and the environment.” The | | | | surroundings where just as beautiful and not |
| problems with air pollution from cruiseships will be | | | | destroyed by pollution in the years to come. And |
| gone before 2020 he claims. | | | | continue to visit us – we like to share the |
| This year as much as 177 cruise ships are | | | | beauty of Norwegian nature !” |
| expected to Geiranger. The new rules gives the | | | | Yes, the new stricter Norwegian rules can prove |
| government permission to stop cruise ships that | | | | to be the best for both residents along the fjords |
| pollutes sailing in Norwegian fjords. | | | | and the tourist. |
| According to Norwegian news today Solheim also | | | | |