Extension as of 1 January 2004 of Norway's territorial sea from four to 12 nautical miles
Historical archive
Published under: Bondevik's 2nd Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 30/12/2003 | Last updated: 23/10/2006
With the entry into force on 1 January 2004 of the Act relating to Norway’s territorial sea and contiguous zone, the breadth of Norway’s territorial sea will be extended from four to 12 nautical miles. (30.12.03)
Press release
No.: 212/03
Date: 30.12.2003
Extension as of 1 January 2004 of Norway’s territorial sea from four to 12 nautical miles
With the entry into force on 1 January 2004 of the Act relating to Norway’s territorial sea and contiguous zone, the breadth of Norway’s territorial sea will be extended from four to 12 nautical miles around mainland Norway, Jan Mayen and Svalbard. The entry into force of the Act as regards the dependencies Bouvetøya, Peter I Øy and Dronning Maud Land has been postponed, in conformity with the order of the King in Council of 27 June 2003.
At the same time a contiguous zone is being established outside the territorial sea around mainland Norway.
The extended territorial sea will enable the Norwegian authorities to deal more effectively with environmental challenges. Because a state has sovereignty over its territorial waters, the extension means that Norwegian legislation and environmental measures will have a broader geographical scope.
In the contiguous zone of 12 nautical miles beyond the territorial sea, it will be possible to enforce Norwegian legislation in certain fields over a wider geographical area, and this will put Norway in a better position to deal with new issues relating to, among other things, people smuggling, terrorism and drug trafficking.
The Act relating to Norway’s territorial sea and contiguous zone was adopted on 27 June 2003. For the background to this, see press release no. 9/03 dated 17 January 2003.