Vessel types

NIS

  • Passenger,- and cargo ships
  • Mobile offshore units

may be registered according to the law of 12 june 1987 no. 48 relating to a Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS)

NOR

  • Mandatory registration for all Norwegian ships of 15 meters and more
  • Voluntary registration of Norwegian fishing- and commercial vessels less than 15 meters
  • Voluntary registration of pleasure vessels between 7 – 14, 99 meters

Re The Norwegian Maritime Code of 24. june 1994 no. 39

Trade area

NIS

Certain trade area restrictions on Norwegian ports/ Norwegian continental shelf apply. Read more.

NOR

No such restrictions.

Owner's nationality

NIS

The NIS is open to owners of all nationalities.

NOR

Manning/The Master

NIS

  • The Master must hold a Norwegian or EU/EEA citizenship, or apply for an exemption from the nationality requirement.
  • Seafarers with non-Norwegian Certificate of Competency (COC) serving as Captain must complete a course in Norwegian maritime legislation ("NIS course").

NOR

  • The Master must hold a Norwegian or EU/EEA citizenship, or hold a residence permit to work in Norway.
    Please contact the Service Centre for Foreign Workers for more information on residence permit: Book an appointment | Non-EU/EEA citizen | SUA
  • Seafarers with non-Norwegian Certificate of Competency (COC) serving as Captain must complete a course in Norwegian maritime legislation ("NIS course").

Survey and issuance of statutory certificates

NIS

  • All NIS registered ships of 500 GT and more classed by a recognized organization are delegated to class according to the Class Agreement.
  • The NMA supervises NIS ships less than 500 GT as well as NIS ships of 500 GT and more which are not classed by one of the recognized organizations.

  • Delegation of Mobile Offshore Units is mainly limited to hull and machinery, ISPS, ISPP, EIAPP and IAPP, ref. the Class Agreement, Annex I and Annex VI.

NOR

  • The NMA is in charge of surveys, inspections and issuance of statutory certificates.
  • Issuance of international ship certificates for cargo ships of 500 GT and more may be delegated to class upon request of the owner ref. theClass Agreement, Annex III
  • Delegation of Mobile Offshore Units is mainly limited to hull and machinery, ISPS, ISPP, EIAPP and IAPP, ref. the Class Agreement, Annex II and Annex VI.