Cruisers planning to visit Norway this season on vessels over 15 meters (50ft) must ensure they comply with new reporting requirements which came into effect on January 1, 2025. The reporting threshold was lowered from 24 meters to 15 meters and reporting requirements were increased which will affect all foreign vessels entering or sailing in Norwegian waters, or foreign masters on a Norwegian flagged vessel, that exceed 15 meters in length or 50 gross tonnes. The changes are part of Norway’s efforts to enhance maritime security and improve situational awareness.

Published 22 hours ago, updated 10 hours ago

New Reporting Requirements for Norway

The recent changes to reporting requirements and the lowering of the reporting threshold, were announced by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense late last year and came into effect on 1 January 2025. The changes are part of Norway’s efforts to enhance maritime security and improve situational awareness.

Noonsite reached out to the Norwegian Coastal Surveillance Center (CSC) to find out further details about how this will affect private vessels over the 50ft mark. Below is a summary of the information, followed by details of the conversation.

Who is Affected?

All foreign vessels 15m (or over 50GT) sailing in Norwegian waters are affected by the changes. The rules also apply to foreign skippers chartering Norwegian vessels 15m and over.

How to Report?

The Norwegian Coastal Surveillance Center (CSC) is open 24/7. The preferred reporting method is via e-mail to csc@coss.mil.no. Reports or changes can also be made via telephone to: +47 7553 6295 / +47 7553 6296.

What are the Reporting Requirements?

Vessels should keep sailing plans up to date. The expectation appears to be that vessels will file their intentions for the following day, no later than, the afternoon or evening prior.

The sailing plan should include the port of call or anchoring position (with Lat/Long) and Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) and next port of call or anchoring position (with Lat/Long) and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).

Vessels should ensure their sailing plan is approved prior to departing port if they plan to go to anchor.

Vessels that are not broadcasting AIS are expected to provide position reports every six hours.

What happens if I don’t report?

Vessels that fail to submit the required notifications could face fines or other penalties.

Q&A with Norwegian Coastal Surveillance Center

Noonsite reached out to the CSC for additional information. Our conversation follows; it is lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

Noonsite: How will boats be told that they are required to report? Will this be part of the check-in process?

CSC: We are aware that many smaller vessels will not necessarily know about the new reporting requirements. We will try our best to get in contact with vessels that have intentions to visit Norway and haven’t sent an arrival notification. In many cases we don’t have contact information to vessels that are visiting Norway. If the vessel contacts the CSC they will be informed about their obligation to report.

Noonsite: If vessels are below 15m do they need to do anything to validate that they are exempt from reporting?

CSC: No, they don’t have to do anything regarding our regulations. [Editor’s note: All Vessels arriving to Norway need to request approval with the police department 24 hours in advance of arrival. See Norway Clearance for details. Vessels may be asked to provide official measurement documentation at any time.]

Noonsite: It seems like reporting would be easier through SafeSeaNet Norway. However, SSNN appears to be set up for commercial vessels. Is there a method for recreational boaters to access this system?

CSC: The Norwegian coastal administration is responsible for SSNN. SSNN is not set up for smaller vessels at this point. We are working on a solution through https://www.barentswatch.no/ohoi/ for smaller vessels to report their arrival notification in an app. We are in the early stages of cooperation and potential development.

Noonsite: How detailed are sailing plans expected to be? (i.e. daily arrival / departure reports or general area for a period of time)

CSC: Normally vessels send us their intentions for the next 24 hours. Vessels that plan to go from port to port do not have to wait for approval. Vessels that intend to go in the fjords etc. have to wait for approval before they have permission to sail.

Noonsite: Do vessels need specific approval from CSC for stopping in ports at a pier, or only when anchoring?

CSC: Visits to a port do not require special approval, only a valid sailing plan. There are some ports and areas vessels don’t have access to. For example, our Naval base in Bergen and in the area Ramsund (Ramsundet west of Evenes/Narvik).

Noonsite:  What happens when plans change that morning due to weather or winds?

CSC: Changes happen. An email/phone call would be more than enough (if the vessel already has approval to stay at anchor, we just require an updated ETD).

Noonsite: If vessels have AIS on at all times, is there any relief from the email / phone ETA and ETD requirements?

CSC: Vessels broadcasting AIS don’t have to report their position, but need to report ETA and ETD for ports/areas they are visiting. Vessels that are not broadcasting AIS have to report their position every 6 hours. We do require that all vessels that are above 15m or 50 GT with installed AIS broadcast AIS at all times (ref regulation §13).

Noonsite: Of particular concern in the new regulations is the anchoring requirement.  How will this process work and what is the expectation? Do sailboats need to call or email CSC and request permission to anchor every afternoon before anchoring for the night?

CSC: We prefer applications through email. We need to know the anchoring position (Lat/Long), ETA and ETD. Vessels are not allowed to anchor before they receive an approval from CSC. Normally vessels that intend to anchor apply many hours in advance.

Noonsite: Will CSC give blanket area / time frame approvals for anchoring? In other words, can a 50ft sailboat ask to anchor along the Hardanger Fjord for the next seven days? Or do they have to request to anchor in Lykelsøya for tonight?

CSC: We will not be giving blanket area approval for anchoring. We need precise anchorage details with position Lat / Long. The vessel can apply for a few days ahead.

Noonsite: What happens when you arrive and the anchorage is full or unsuitable and you want to move to a spot a short distance away? Is a whole new approval required or can you anchor and then report the change / update?

CSC: They will have to ask for approval for the new position.

Noonsite: What is the expected response time for requests? How quickly can a vessel expect to get approval to anchor via SSNN? Via email? Via phone?

CSC: Vessels cannot ask for approval for anchoring via SSNN, only by email or phone. During daytime (0700-2300) the response time are in most cases very fast, from 10-20 minutes (depending how many applications we have at that time). During night the response time are expected to be a little longer.

Note from CSC: SSNN cannot be used for approval of anchoring. SSNN was made for handling port to port visits, but later used for other purposes as the platform usage has evolved.

Our thanks to the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, Coastal Surveillance Center and Shift Leader 002 for their assistance in understanding the changes.

Have you been affected?

Are you a cruiser that is affected by these changes? Are you cruising Norway and making regular reports to CSC? Are you reconsidering your plans to visit Norway?

Noonsite is interested in understanding how cruisers are affected by these changes. Send us your feedback and let us know how it is going by posting a comment (the blue speech bubble icon) or emailing us.

…………………………………

Related Links:

• Regulations on Foreign Vessels’ Entry into and Navigation in Norwegian Territorial Waters – the English translation of the new regulations, in full, from the Norwegian government
• Guide for Foreign Captains from the Norwegian Armed Forces –  the military issued summary of the new, stricter reporting requirements

…………………………………

© 2025 Noonsite. This content was edited by Noonsite. Do not reproduce without permission. All rights reserved.

If you have found this information useful, become a paid member to enjoy unlimited use of Noonsite plus many other perks. Your membership fees really help our small, dedicated team keep country information up-to-date in support of cruisers worldwide. Find out more about Noonsite Membership levels and benefits here.

Subscribe to our FREE monthly newsletter.