Application guide – Wreck Removal Certificate

From this date, the registered owner of a Norwegian ship of 300 gross tonnage and above is required to have approved insurance or other security covering the cost of locating, marking and removing wrecks pursuant to the rules of the Nairobi Convention.

A certificate confirming this insurance or security must be issued, cf. section 210 (d) first paragraph of the Act of 20 December 2018 No. 115 concerning amendments to the Norwegian Maritime Code, etc. (removal of wrecks).

This guidance circular outlines the application process for obtaining a Wreck Removal Certificate. In 2025, which is the first year of the arrangement, the process will differ slightly from the standard procedure. This is because the Nairobi Convention enters into force in the middle of an insurance year, and many ships already hold Wreck Removal Certificates issued by other Convention States.

The application process

The insurance certificate must be attached to the application

Applications must include the ship's name, call signal and/or IMO number and should be sent to post@sdir.no. The application must be accompanied by an insurance certificate, commonly referred to as a "Blue Card", issued by an approved insurance company. Applications without a valid insurance certificate cannot be processed by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA). The insurance certificate must demonstrate that the registered owner complies with the requirements of the Nairobi Convention and must therefore include a reference to the Convention.

Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and above without a Wreck Removal Certificate

The following outlines the application process for Norwegian ships that do not yet have a Wreck Removal Certificate. As mentioned above, all Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and above must have a Wreck Removal Certificate as of 11 February 2025. 

Most insurance companies operate with a policy year running for one year starting from 20 February. This means that ships will need two Wreck Removal Certificates this year: one certificate for the period between 11 and 20 February 2025, and one certificate for the period between 20 February 2025 and 20 February 2026.

As a result, the NMA will issue two certificates, but will only charge one fee. However, a few insurance companies operate with a policy year that starts on 1 January. Ships covered by these policies will be issued one Wreck Removal Certificate.

The Wreck Removal Certifciate application should be submitted to the NMA as early as possible. The NMA has already started processing applications and issuing certificates valid from 11 February 2025. The certificate will be invoiced after the certificate's start date.

Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and above with a Wreck Removal Certificate from another Convention State

Ships that have a Wreck Removal Certificate issued by another Convention State before 11 February 2025 may continue to operate under that certificate as long as it remains valid. When the certificate expires, or becomes invalid for any other reason, a new certificate must be issued by the NMA.

From 11 February 2025 onward, applications for Wreck Removal Certificates for Norwegian ships must be submitted to the Norwegian Maritime Authority. If a ships needs to renew or change its Wreck Removal Certificate after 11 February 2025, the application must be sent to the NMA, not to any other Convention State. The Wreck Removal Certificate application sholud be submitted as early as possible.

The NMA has already started processing applications and issuing Wreck Removal Certificates. The certificate fee will be invoiced after the certificate's start date.

New registrations and newbuildings

Applications for Wreck Removal Certificates for all new registrations and newbuildings must be submitted to the NMA if the validity period of the certificate will begin on or after 11 February 2025.