The sanctions against Russia are based on the regulations on measures regarding Ukraine's integrity etc. (in Norwegian only), adopted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Companies can submit questions to sanksjoner@mfa.no

Ship traffic and ports are affected by the sanctions that have been introduced. For further information on the sanctions, see the Norwegian Government's information page on the sanctions (in Norwegian only). The website also contains information on other relevant sanctions with a background in the war in Ukraine.

The government has specified which quays/terminals in these ports the vessels may call at:

Tromsø

• Kai 20, 21, 22, 23 and 38 in Breivika, Tromsø
• Troms fryseterminal AS in Tromsø
• Tromsø Mekaniske AS, if the vessel shall receive shipyard services agreed by the MoD* 

Båtsfjord

• Dampskipskaia in Båtsfjord
• Nessekaia in Båtsfjord
• Neptunbukta in Båtsfjord

Kirkenes

• Industrikaia in Kirkenes
• Dypvannskaia in Kirkenes
• Hurtigrutekaia in Kirkenes
• Sentrumskaia i Kirkenes
• Kimek AS, if the vessel shall receive shipyard services agreed by the MoD*
• Tscudi Bulk Terminals AS
• Henriksen Shipping Service AS

If there is a real need to call at a quay/terminal other than the above listed, Police and Customs must be contacted in advance to establish whether there is capacity to conduct necessary controls in the relevant quay/terminal.

*Regarding shipyards: All shipyard services to Russian vessels are prohibited, unless expressly allowed by the MoD in accordance with the guidelines.

At the outset, the owners and operators of Norwegian ports are obliged to permit entry to vessels as far as the port’s capacity allows, pursuant to section 27 of the Harbour and Fairways Act. This duty is not intended to limit the owner’s or operator’s opportunity to decide for themselves the scope of the port’s activity.

The intention of the provision is to ensure that maritime transport is given access to the port infrastructure that the port owner in fact has made available to general traffic, or else the type of traffic that the port has decided to admit to the port section in question.

Pursuant to section 27, the ports can deny entry to vessels if their admittance endangers the environment or security. Ports are allowed to deny entry to a vessel because of its risk to the environment if there is a current and probable threat to the environment. The term “security” refers here to the physical security of the port itself.

A vessel can be denied entry if such entry threatens to damage the port infrastructure or the people who are in the port. National security assessments are not encompassed by the term “security” in section 27, cf. the statement by the Ministry of Transport. Such assessments are made by the Ministry of Defence and not by the individual port.

Naturally, the ports’ obligation to allow vessels to enter is suspended in regard to vessels that are sanctioned.

The current sanctions against Russia will not affect pilotage or the pilot exemption certificate (PEC) scheme. As before, vessels subject to compulsory pilotage may use Russian and other foreign navigators with a valid pilot exemption certificate to meet the compulsory pilotage requirements. Russian vessels allowed to call on a Norwegian port may also engage a pilot as per usual.

Compulsory pilotage is a measure that aims to prevent navigational accidents along the coast. Through this system, the Norwegian Coastal Administration requires that vessels either sail with a pilot or use a pilot exemption certificate. The pilot exemption certificate (Norw. farledsbevis) is issued to navigators who can document a sufficient number of journeys in sheltered waters along the Norwegian coast and who have passed a practical test on board the vessel, either with a pilot as the examiner or with an assessor. Please note, however, that it is only vessels longer than 70 metres (50 m for passenger vessels/vessels with hazardous cargo) that need to use a pilot or pilot exemption certificate. Vessels below 70 m use neither a pilot nor a pilot exemption certificate when sailing.

On the basis of an increased threat level, the Norwegian Coastal Administration has from raised the maritime security level to level 2 for selected port facilities. The facilities in question have been informed.

The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) assesses threats to national security on an ongoing basis and is monitoring the situation closely. It is worth noting that the national threat assessment (in Norwegian only) identifies Russia as a known threat actor in Norway. The general threat of for example cyber attacks therefore remains present. The assessment encourages increased vigilance.

For enquiries or to report a concern, please contact PST

The Norwegian Coastal Administration has established a solution that sends notification to the port of call if a vessel with Russian flag or that had one before February 24th reports arrival at a Norwegian port. The notification is sent as an e-mail to the port and the port's PFSO.

The notification is sent out automatically from SafeSeaNet and must be considered as an information message. There may be errors in the data. Among other things, there may occur notification of vessels under 500 GT or fishing vessels. The port must therefore decide on an independent basis whether the vessel is covered by the sanctions or not.

Section 19(a) of the regulations on measures concerning Ukraine’s integrity, etc., makes an exception for vessels in need of assistance and that are seeking a place of refuge for the sake of maritime safety or to save lives at sea. Thus, Russian vessels that are subject to the sanctions will be allowed entry to a Norwegian port in the event of an emergency.

Pursuant to section 19(a) of the regulations on measures concerning Ukraine’s integrity, etc., Russian vessels may receive permission to call at Norwegian ports if necessary for the import, export, or transport of specific goods, or in certain cases for vessels that have changed flag. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the authority to give such permission.

Applications for permission to enter port can be sent to sanctions@mfa.no. A lack of reply is not to be considered as permission given.

When the port receives information about a port call from a Russian fishing vessel, the port or terminal shall:

• make all necessary arrangements to allow for the authorities to conduct inspections/control of the vessel/port call,
• tell the vessel to berth at the terminal/key where relevant controls can be conducted,
• ensure that the vessel does not stay in port longer than necessary.

How long the vessel may stay in port depends on the purpose of the port call. The port may allow the vessel to stay long enough to:

• change crew
• refuel
• load (subject to the cargo not being sanctioned)
• provision the vessel
• carry out controls
• carry out shipyard services allowed by the MoD

It is a condition that all activities are in accordance with the sanction rules and in line with what is considered normal activities for a fishing vessel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for the sanction rules and is the focal point for questions on how to interpret the Regulations on measures concerning Ukraine’s integrity etc.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be contacted at sanctions@mfa.no.

Ports that have questions about specific Russian vessels covered by the ban on port calls that are on their way to Norway can contact NOR VTS by phone at 78989898 or by e-mail at: nor.vts@kystverket.no

NOR VTS can provide information about the vessel and can assist with conveying other questions to the right recipient.

The Norwegian Police is the enforcement authority. Should there be need for assistance in enforcing the ban on port calls the local police district must be contacted.

• The Norwegian Maritime Authority
• The Norwegian government’s web page with information about the sanctions (in Norwegian)

• EU Commission website on sanctions
• EU FAQ on the port ban:
  Frequently Asked Questions on the Prohibition to Access EU Ports Concerning Sanctions Adopted Following Russia’s Military Aggression against Ukraine and Belarus’ Involvement in It (europa.eu)