Improving maritime safety around Svalbard

A number of measures have already been or are being implemented to improve maritime safety along the coast of mainland Norway. An important element of the Government’s High North strategy is to enhance maritime safety in the waters around Svalbard. In this way, the Government will take a comprehensive approach to safety in the High North.

Maritime transport in the waters around Svalbard involves particular environmental and safety risks, and there are special challenges associated with the growing cruise traffic. The Government therefore wishes to establish a sound legal framework and other measures to enhance maritime safety in the waters around Svalbard.

As set out in its High North strategy, the Government has decided to establish a mandatory system requiring the employment of local people with thorough knowledge of the waters around Svalbard to pilot vessels sailing in these waters. At present, vessels use such people on a voluntary basis, and no formal qualifications have been laid down. The mandatory scheme will ensure that all vessels are provided with the necessary expertise in waters where navigation is difficult.

The Government will make the Harbour Act applicable to Svalbard, with certain adaptations. In mainland Norway, the Norwegian Coastal Administration is responsible for maritime infrastructure and services on behalf of the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. It is important to ensure that a comprehensive approach is taken to the regulation of fairways, beacons, navigation marks and so on in the waters around Svalbard. The Harbour Act can also be used to provide the legal authority for any necessary prohibitions or restrictions on traffic in areas where access is so difficult that it is inadvisable to allow vessels to sail there.