Developing legislation
New climate targets have led to a surge of new technology in the maritime industry. New legislation takes a little longer to develop. That is why we focus on finding good solutions to test new technology based on the same safety requirements that apply to mature technology.
A ship shall be so designed, constructed and equipped that it according to its purpose and trade area provides for the satisfactory protection of life, health, property and the environment. It is the shipping company that is responsible for the construction and subsequent operation of the ship.
The legislation of the Norwegian Maritime Authority provides minimum requirements for technical, operational and organisational safety. The legislative requirements are based on international rules and standards established by the IMO, EMSA, standardisation bodies and recognised classification societies. Together, these provide functional and performance requirements, as well as detailed requirements for the construction, equipment and operation of vessels.
In this context, innovation and new technology include vessel concepts or technological solutions which will have the same function but are completely or partly left out of these underlying requirements.
Solutions for alternative designs
Most of the rules administered by the Norwegian Maritime Authority contain mechanisms for testing new technology or so-called alternative designs. Such designs must prove that the technology as a minimum has the same level of safety as that required by established regulations.
Here are examples of technologies we have dealt with:
- new types of propulsion machinery and fuels such as batteries, methanol, hydrogen and ammonia
- the use of more autonomy and projects moving in the direction of unmanned or autonomous vessels
- individual equipment, such as new navigation, rescue or communication or new work equipment on board
- Guidance in connection with the construction or installation of automated functionality aimed at performing unmanned or partially unmanned operations (circular)
- Guidelines for chemical energy storage – maritime battery systems (circular)
- Safety management system for Norwegian ships and mobile offshore units
- The Ship Safety and Security Act
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