Soon, all Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and more will need a Wreck Removal Certificate

NEW REQUIREMENT: A Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC) confirms that a ship of 300 gross tonnage and above has approved insurance or other financial security covering the costs of locating, marking and removing wrecks, as required under the Wreck Removal Convention. 

The new requirement will apply regardless of certification and trade area, meaning it covers ships engaged on both domestic and interntional voyages.

You can find more information about the application process at the bottom of this page.

Apply by 11 February

Until now, Norwegian ships only been required to hold a Wreck Removal Certificate calling at a state that has ratified the Convention. Norway has had an agreement with Denmark for issuing Wreck Removal Certificates to Norwegian ships when required.

The Wreck Removal Convention will enter into force in Norway on 11 February 2025, and the new Chapter 10a of the Norwegian Maritime Code will come into effect on the same date. The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) asks affected registered vessel owners to apply for a Wreck Removal Certificate by 11 February. 

From that date, Wreck Removal Certificates for Norwegian ships will be issued by the Norwegian Maritime Authority, rather than by Denmark.

Responsibilities of the vessel owner

To obtain a Wreck Removal Certificate, the vessel owner must first arrange insurance with a company that has been pre-approved by the NMA.

The ship's registered owner in NOR/NIS is required to take out this insurance, and only this owner can arrange the insurance that will serve as the basis for issuing the certificate.

Insurance companies that are members of the International Group of P&I Clubs, or those registered in the EU/EEA with cross-border activities, will be automatically approved upon application. Insurance companies that can provide evidence of approval by other flag States party to the Paris MoU will generally be approved. Other insurance companies must demonstrate their financial stability to be considered for approval by the NMA.

Validity of existing certificates

Ships that have been required to hold a Wreck Removal Certificate before 11 February 2025, due to voyages to countries that have previously ratified the Convention, may continue to operate with their existing certificates issued by other countries. 

They may do so until the current certificate expires or becomes invalid for other reasons.

Foreign ships calling at Norwegian ports 

The requirement for a Wreck Removal Certificate will also apply to the registered owner of a foreign ship of 300 gross tonnage and above that calls at or departs from a port or other loading or unloading location in Norway, or calls at or departs from an offshore port of call in Norwegian territorial waters. 

Foreign ships must obtain a certificate from their flag State, provided the flag State has ratified the Convention. If it has not, the ship's registered owner may apply to the NMA for a certificate before the ship's first port of call in Norway. 

The flag State of the foreign ship must be on the Paris MoU's White List to be issued with a certificate by the Norwegian Maritime Authority.

How to apply

An application for a Wreck Removal Certificate must be sent to by e-mail to the Norwegian Maritime Authority and must include the following:

• a document from an approved insurance company (blue card) confirming that the ship is insured 
• the ship's name and IMO number 
• the e-mail address of the person receiving the certificate

Link to application form: Application for insurance certificate - Norwegian Maritime Authority 

The certificate is valid for a maximum of one year, with the renewal date falling on 20 February each year.