Due to changes in the NOx regulations, support for engine replacement with SCR is being phased out. The final application review for these measures will take place at the NOx Fund's board meeting on December 10, 2024. Starting October 29, 2024, a support ceiling of 100 MNOK per application is also introduced for all measure types.
Since 2008, the NOx Fund has paid out approximately 1,200 MNOK in support for engine replacements with SCR, with over 300 MNOK granted to new commitments in 2024. These initiatives have improved energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and significantly decreased NOx emissions.
However, engine replacements with SCR are now subject to mandatory requirements. Since 2021, the IMO Tier III standards (very low NOx emissions) have effectively applied to most engine replacements and major rebuilds south of Stadt. They will extend along the entire Norwegian coast from March 1, 2026. As a result, the NOx Fund faces challenges in determining whether support for engine replacements is essential or if they would be carried out regardless of regulatory compliance. For more details on these requirements, we refer to the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s announcement: Nytt lavutslippsområde i Norskehavet.
Due to these developments, the option to support engine replacements with SCR is being phased out. The final round of application reviews will occur at the NOx Fund's board meeting on December 10, 2024, with due date for applications by November 25, 2024.
For this last allocation round, the maximum support rate for engine replacements with SCR will be 50%, reduced from 70%, to allow more applications to receive positive funding decisions.
Support ceiling
Additionally, a support ceiling of 100 MNOK per application is being implemented immediately for all measuretypes to ensure more applications can receive support. Existing commitments are unaffected by this ceiling.