Regulations on Entry into Norwegian Territorial Waters

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The Regulations on foreign vessels' entry into and navigation in Norwegian territorial waters, enable Norwegian authorities to exercise sovereignty in Norwegian territorial waters. The regulation is intended to ensure that Norwegian authorities have situational awareness and control over foreign maritime traffic to, from, and within Norwegian territorial waters, in the interest of national security, preparedness, and defense.

The Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ) is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the regulation.

The regulation applies to:

• All foreign vessels with a length overall of 15 meters or more, or a gross tonnage of 50 or more.
• The regulation also applies to equipment belonging to the vessel (such as lifeboats, tenders, RIBs, etc.).
• For foreign vessels specifically mentioned in Section 9, the regulation applies regardless of size.
• For foreign submersibles, including underwater drones, the regulation applies regardless of size.
• The regulation also applies to foreign autonomous and unmanned vessels, whether or not they have their own propulsion system, and whether they are operated from a vessel, platform, or land—regardless of size.
• The regulation does not apply to foreign state vessels used for non-commercial purposes or military vessels.

Ensure an updated Sailing Plan

• When navigating in Norwegian Internal Waters, always ensure that your sailing plan is up to date.
• If there are any changes to your Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) or Estimated Time of Departure (ETD), and you arrive earlier or later than initially planned, please inform us as soon as possible. Updates should preferably be made through Safe Sea Net Norway (SSNN).
• Or  to the Norwegian Costal Surveillance Centre which is open 24/7:
  • Telephone: +47 7553 6295 / +47 7553 6296
  • E-mail: csc@coss.mil.no
• If the vessel’s ETD has expired or should your sailing plan change and you intend to visit a new or different port, it is essential to update your sailing plan promptly. Failure to provide updated information may result in fines or other penalties.

Apply for approval prior to anchoring 

• Any vessel that is required to report, must submit an application to the Norwegian Coastal Surveillance Centre (CSC) and obtain approval prior to anchoring.
• Approval from the pilot, port authority, or vessel traffic service is not sufficient; approval from the CSC is mandatory.
• If the vessel anchors before receiving the necessary approval, this may result in fines or other penalties.

Safe Sea Net 

• For vessels that report through Safe Sea Net, it is essential to always select the "Military Report" option.
• Failure to do so will result in the sailing plan not being approved by the CSC, and your report will not be considered properly submitted.
• Failure to do so, this may result in fines or other penalties.

We understand that smaller vessels may not have the capability to use Safe Sea Net. However, you are still obligated to comply with the same regulations. In such cases, if you are the master of the vessel, you are required to report to the Norwegian Coastal Surveillance Centre (CSC) via phone or e-mail.

• Telephone: +47 7553 6295 / +47 7553 6296
• E-mail: csc@coss.mil.no

Zodiacs, lifeboats or small boats 

If you intend to use small boats for the transportation of passengers to shore from the main vessel, or to conduct testing of Man Overboard (MOB) procedures with the use of life/rescue boats, you must apply prior to the execution of these activities.

Additionally, you are required to notify the local police. Once the application has been approved, you will receive a confirmation via e-mail.

Contact Information

• The Norwegian Costal Surveillance Centre is open 24/7
• Telephone: +47 7553 6295 / +47 7553 6296
• E-mail: csc@coss.mil.no

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