Security level for ships flying the Norwegian flag
This page contains instructions from the Norwegian Maritime Authority on security levels on ships flying the Norwegian flag.
The instructions relate to elevation of security levels from 1 to 2 or 3, as well as recommendations on actions to be taken on board the ship in defined areas.
The information is updated as of March 1st 2016. The information is valid until further notice, and supersedes all other previously issued security level instruction issued by NMA.
Definitions
| BMP | Best Management Practice as defined by the Industry Standard and published by ICS, BIMCO, Intertanko and OCIMF |
| HRA | High Risk Area as defined in BMP |
| SSP | Ship Security Plan |
Current security levels set by NMA
Vessels flying the Norwegian flag shall implement measures as described in the SSP for the different MarSec levels, when arriving mentioned areas below.
Security level 1:
All areas not mentioned below, if not requested by Designated Authority for the intended port of arrival.
Security level 2:
East Africa (as illustrated in picture I below)
|
In the Red Sea |
From Suez and southwards |
|
In the Gulf of Oman |
Northern limit: Latitude N 22° |
|
Eastern limit |
Longitude E 065° |
|
Southern limit |
Latitude S 05° |
West Africa (as illustrated in picture II below)
|
Southern limit |
N 02°40’ |
|
Western limit |
From N 02°40’ and directly to the border of Togo |
|
Eastern limit |
From N 02°40’ and directly to the border of Cameroun |
Current areas recommended to implement measure from the SSP
Vessels trading the below mentioned areas are strongly advised to consider implementing security measures in their SSP as if the vessel had been operating on MarSec level #2 while inside these areas. Security records on board should not indicate that the actual security level has been raised, only that those measures found necessary by Master/SSO has been implemented.
West Africa (illustrated in appendix II)
“Southern part”
Southern point |
S 17°17’ E 006°35’ and directly to the border of Angola |
|
Congo point |
S 04°00’ E 006°35’ |
|
Western point |
S 01°00’ E 004°05’ |
|
Northern point |
N 02°40 E 004°05’ and directly to the border of Nigeria |
“Western part”
Western point |
N 02°40 W 007°29’ and directly to the border of Cote d’Ivoire |
|
Eastern point |
N 02°40 E 002°58’ and directly to the border of Togo |
ISPS certificate – ISSC
The following ships shall according to the national Regulations hold an International ship security certificate (ISSC) (see the Security Regulations for definitions and exemptions, if any):
- passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft, certified for international trade, and passenger ships certified as class A passenger ships;
- cargo ships, including high-speed cargo craft, of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, certified for international trade;
- mobile offshore drilling units.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has prepared some guidelines where Norway's interpretations as flag State within certain areas are made clear. These have been published under the menu point "Guidelines".
The access to ISPS information on board ships is limited. The NMA is considered the "owner" of ship security plans (SSP) of Norwegian-flagged ships. Representatives from the NMA who shall have access to the ISPS-related information, will have an endorsement on their official ID cards stating "ISPS control" and/or "Duly Authorized", as shown in the illustration below. The validity of the ID card can be verified by calling the NMA's switchboard or emergency preparedness number.
The ISPS Code requires a ship to operate in compliance with the requirements laid down in the Code. In the cases where a verification establishes non-conformities in the system, measures must be implemented that ensure that the ship satisfies the requirements of the Code before the ships is allowed to sail again.
Certificate of proficiency
There are three levels of certificate of proficiency:
- certificate of proficiency for ship security officers (SSO);
- certificate of proficiency for seafarers with designated security duties;
- certificate of proficiency in security awareness.
On 1 July 2013 it became a requirement that the SSO must hold a certificate of proficiency for ship security officers.
Certificate of proficiency is issued by the maritime training centers.
Supervision/inspections
Unscheduled ISPS inspection
Unscheduled inspection on board Norwegian-flagged ships with ISSC in order to verify compliance with the requirements of the Code.
Expanded ISPS inspection
Inspection carried out on board a ship flying a foreign flag on its way to, or in, a Norwegian port. Conducted by a Duly Authorized Officer upon suspicion that a ship is not operating in compliance with the requirements of the ISPS Code.
Vertical and horizontal audit of the classification societies
Audits of the classification societies are carried out in order to monitor and verify that they perform their delegated tasks in accordance with the descriptions. Such audits are supported by unscheduled supervision on board vessels.
Verification
Interim, initial, intermediate, renewal and additional verifications are carried out on ships with ISSC issued by the NMA directly.
ISPS pre-arrival information
ISPS notices of arrival at a Norwegian port are reported via SafeSeaNet Norway (SSN) at www.shiprep.no.
Records
All records shall be kept in the working language of the ship. If the language used is not English, a translation into English shall be available on board.
Declaration of security (DoS)
A declaration of security (DoS) shall be completed and be kept as a part of the ship's records when:
- the ship operates at a higher level of security than that of the port or the ship with which it interacts;
- there has been a relevant threat or incident concerning the security of the ship or the port facility;
- the ship is at a port facility that does not have an approved security plan.