Report unacceptable behaviour

If you choose to report unacceptable behaviour through the NMA’s portal without providing your name, address or e-mail, we will not be able to identify you. People have different reasons for reporting anonymously. Some feel safer reporting unacceptable behaviour when they can remain anonymous.

All reports, including anonymous ones, will be dealt with properly.

However, it is important to note that opting for anonymity may impact the investigation, as establishing facts and requesting additional information becomes more challenging.

We diligently assess all reports and determine the appropriate course of action. If you are an employee on a ship, we also refer to your right to notify and lodge complaints.

Employees on ships have a right to report concerning conditions related to both service on the ship and general working conditions. Examples include harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. You can contact the master of the vessel, the company or the NMA.

More information about the right to report can be found here: Right to lodge complaints - Norwegian Maritime Authority

A report should include detailed information about the case. A fact-based and precise description is crucial, and here are some useful tips on what to include:

• What happened?
• Who is involved?
• Where did it happen?
• When was it discovered?
• When did it happen?
• Has it happened more than once?
• Were there any witnesses?
• Include examples and proof/documentation if available.

We log all reported incidents and assess them individually to determine the next steps. The person who submitted the report will usually not be a party if a case is opened. As a general rule, you will not receive additional feedback besides the receipt to confirm that the report has been received.

If you want more information about the case, you can request access to the case documents.  When receiving requests for access, the NMA will determine whether the documents can be released or access should be denied pursuant to the Act relating to the right of access to documents held by public authorities and public undertakings.

Our follow-up measures vary and will be considered and determined in each case. In some instances, we may directly contact the employer or company with a requirement to rectify the issue at hand.

In other cases, we carry out a supervision or dismiss the case based on the facts or the legislation.

Some of the reports fall under civil law, concerning the contractual relationship between the shipping company and the employee.

In such cases, the Norwegian Maritime Authority has no authority over the employer or company but can guide the parties. Common civil law examples include issues related to collective agreements, pay levels, unfair dismissals and unlawful dismissals.

Reporting to other authorities

We recommend contacting the appropriate authority for specific issues. Here are some examples:

• Illicit work should be reported to the Norwegian Tax Administration.
• Suspected human trafficing and serious social dumping or violent crimes should be reported to the police.
• If you have not been paid the sick pay you are entitled to, you should report it to the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV).
• If you are located close to a harbour and disrupted by noise or dust, you should contact the local authority or port facility.

In all cases, the NMA must consider whether it is possible to withhold information on the identity of the notifier, information about the person affected by the report, as well as the contents of the report. This is regulated by the Act relating to the right of access to documents held by public authorities and public undertakings and the Public Administration Act.

On a general basis, documents that contain information on possible criminal acts may be exempt from access under the Act relating to the right of access to documents held by public authorities and public undertakings.

The information in the report could also be subject to the duty of confidentiality. In such cases, we have a duty to exempt the information from access.