Royal Arctic Line to eliminate heavy fuel oil use

Greenland’s state-owned shipping company, Royal Arctic Line (RAL), has announced it will end its use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) across its fleet—an early move that has drawn strong praise from the Clean Arctic Alliance.

The decision means RAL will not rely on exemptions or waivers allowed under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) heavy fuel oil ban, which came into effect for Arctic shipping in July 2024, but permits continued use for some vessels until 2029. Instead, the company will switch to cleaner fuels immediately.

“This is excellent news for the Arctic environment, for Greenland and its people, and for the global climate,” said Dr. Sian Prior, Lead Advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance. “By choosing to use cleaner fuels and getting rid of heavy fuel oil ahead of schedule, Royal Arctic Line isn’t just making good business sense—it is ensuring that it can never spill heavy fuel oil in the Arctic, and is also cutting black carbon emissions, a super pollutant that contributes to the melting of sea ice and glaciers.”

Heavy fuel oil poses serious environmental risks in the Arctic. It is nearly impossible to clean up in icy waters and produces black carbon when burned—dark soot particles that accelerate melting when they settle on snow and ice.

The Clean Arctic Alliance claims that RAL’s choice sets a powerful example for other operators.

“This is a green transition at the highest level,” said Kåre Press-Kristensen, Senior Advisor at Green Global Future and member of the Clean Arctic Alliance. “Royal Arctic Line had the opportunity to pollute the sea until 2029, but is now choosing to take the environment and climate seriously and keep the sea clean.”

The Alliance called on other Arctic shipping firms to follow suit and commit to an early phase-out of HFO to better protect the Arctic’s vulnerable ecosystems and communities.