Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections

(2005/C 304/14)

Date of adoption:

EFTA State: Norway

Aid No: Case 56573

Title: Scheme for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from vessels in the Norwegian Shipping Register

Objective: The Scheme's primery objective is environmental protection, through the reduction of NOx emissions from shipping vessels. It is intended to facilitate the financing of nitrogen oxide reducing measures, including the purchase of new engines for vessels

Legal basis: Parliament decision nr 124 of 9 December 2003 (in case nr 2, published in the Parliament journal (Stortingstidende) page 1046-1053, 1071-1073), proposed by The Standing Committee on Business and Industry 3 December 2003 (Proposed decision IV of Innst.S.nr.71 (2003-2004))

Budget/Duration: NOK 500 million for loans and NOK 75 million for interest subsidies. The scheme will run until 31 December 2005

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregister