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Your essential guide to employee rights and legislation on Norwegian ships

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  • Employment agreements for use on Norwegian ships shall, as a main rule, be entered into using the form prescribed by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA), cf. section 3 of the Regulations of 19 August 2013 No. 1000 on employmentt agreement and pay statement, etc. 

    The Regulations apply to the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR) and the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS). Please see the link to the form of employment agreement here.

    The NMA may, however, approve other forms upon application from the employer. Kindly note that the form will only be approved as such, and that the content of the employment agreement will not be approved.

    When filling out the form of employment agreement, which shall either be issued or approved by the NMA, it is important that all relevant information required in section 2 of the above-mentioned Regulations is included. Guidance for filling out the form of employment agreement is included in the form issued by the NMA. In addition to the requirements in section 2 of the Regulations, it shall also be stipulated in the form of employment agreement that it is in accordance with section 3-1 of the Act of 21 June 2013 No. 102 relating to employment protection, etc. for employees on board ships (Ship Labour Act) with Regulations.

    In addition, for ships registered in NIS, it is a requirement that information based on section 6 paragraph four of the Act of 12 June 1987 No. 48 relating to a Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) is included in the employment agreement, as follows: “Individual contracts of engagement for service on ships in this register shall expressly state that the contract is subject to Norwegian laws and Norwegian courts, but that cases concerning the employee’s service on the ship may be brought against the owner before a Norwegian court or before a court in the employee’s country of residence.”

    There is no provisional period for the requirement of having correct employment agreements on Norwegian ships, including NIS ships. 

  • The requirement to use the NMA’s employment agreement form may be derogated from in collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) for NIS ships, (but not for NOR ships) cf. section 8 of the NIS Act concerning the Ship Labour Act, cf. section 3-1 paragraph four of the Ship Labour Act. CBAs are private law agreements and therefore not managed by the NMA.   

    • A medical certificate issued by a seafarer's doctor with a Norwegian approval. Please see list here:  Seafarers health
    • A medical certificate issued by an EEA country in accordance with the EEA country's regulations.  

    Please see further information here: Medical certificate

     

    Exemption when registering a vessel in NIS/NOR

    According to section 6 a of the Regulations of June 2014 No.805 on medical examination of employees on Norwegian ships and mobile offshore units the following exemption applies for medical certificates when registering a vessel: When a new vessel is registered in a Norwegian ship register to fly the Norwegian flag, the NMA may upon written application from the company grant a time-limited exemption from the requirement of having a valid medical certificate pursuant to these Regulations, provided that the company can confirm that:   

    a) it is not reasonably possible to provide valid medical certificates pursuant to these Regulations for all persons working on board prior to the date of registration in a Norwegian ship register;   

    b) the persons working on board have valid medical certificates issued by a flag State which has ratified the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), and compliance with the STCW requirements is specified in the medical certificates;  

    c) copies of valid medical certificates pursuant to these Regulations will be submitted as soon as possible and no later than three months after the vessel has been registered in a Norwegian ship register. 

  • Endorsement

    Officers holding a STCW-certificate issued by an administration Norway has an agreement with may apply for endorsement. The ship owner or agent must apply on behalf of the seafarer, for more information regarding the application process and requirements, please visit the links below. 

    For Masters only 

    Course in Norwegian maritime legislation (NIS course) must be completed at an approved course centre if the applicant is to serve as Master on board a Norwegian ship. 

    If the applicant is to serve as Master on board a Norwegian ship, and has a citizenship from a non-EEA country, the application process will differ slightly. Application for exemption from the nationality requirement shall be registered through Altinn, sent by mail or e-mail to post@sdir.no.  

  • Mintra

    Norwegian Training Center - Manila

    Ocean Technologies Group Norway 

    RS Sjøredningsskolen

  • Section 5-14 of Regulations on the working environment, health and safety of persons working on board ship 

    (1) Safety representatives and members of the working environment committee shall be given the training necessary for them to discharge their duties in a satisfactory manner. The expenses of such training shall be covered by the company.

    (2) The training shall:

    a. include an introduction to safety and environmental work;

    b. provide knowledge of ergonomics, noise, lighting, climate and welfare-related measures;

    c. provide knowledge of accident prevention, including preventive measures, the use of personal protective equipment, etc.;

    d. provide knowledge of risk assessment of work operations as an essential part of accident prevention;

    e. provide an introduction to and information about the Ship Safety and Security Act, the Ship Labour Act (see: Acts) and these Regulations;

    f. provide an introduction to the structure and role of the Norwegian Maritime Authority, also in relation to other authorities concerned.

    (3) The duration of the training shall be not less than 40 hours. Training of shorter duration than 40 hours may be agreed on if the parties jointly consider this to be appropriate with regard to the character and scope of the problems. The training shall be documented.

  • The Norwegian sea service book may be issued to applicants who are Norwegian citizens working on Norwegian or foreign flagged vessels.

    Foreign citizens may apply for a record of service for work on Norwegian flagged vessels. 

    Norwegian Sea Service Book and Record of Service

  • This is stated in Maitime Labour Convention Article IV 4. Welfare service and social activities on board the ship can have a significant impact on the crew's well-being, camaraderie, and work environment. Here you will find information about welfare services offered by Norwegian Maritime Authority and tips for social activities that sould be easy to implement.

    Norwegian Governments Seafarer's Service

     

  • Learn about the grant scheme aimed at promoting employment of seafarers, strengthening Norwegian maritime expertise, recruiting more Norwegian seafarers, and ensuring competitive conditions for shipping companies by following the link below.

    Grant scheme for the employment of seafarers

  • Are you wondering if your vessel can be registered in NIS or NOR? Here is a brief overview of the differences between the two registers.

    Understanding the differences: NIS vs. NOR