Understanding the differences: NIS vs. NOR

Vessel types

The following vessels may be registered in the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS):

Passenger and cargo ships
Drilling units and other mobile offshore units

See the Act relating to the Norwegian International Ship Register (the NIS Act) at the bottom of this page.

Some vessels may, and some must, be registered in the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR). There is:

Mandatory registration of all Norwegian vessels of 15 metres and over
Voluntary registration of fishing and commercial vessels of less than 15 metres
Voluntary registration of recreational craft of between 7 and 14.99 metres

See the Norwegian Maritime Code at the bottom of this page.

Trade areas

NIS – Certain restrictions apply for NIS ships in Norwegian ports/on the Norwegian continental shelf, cf. section 4 of the NIS Act and appurtenant regulations. See the Act and regulations at the bottom of this page.

NOR – No trading area restrictions for NOR ships.

Nationality of owner

NIS – The register is open to owners of all nationalities.

NOR – The owner must be a Norwegian or an EEA national or company, cf. section 1 on conditions for nationality of the Norwegian Maritime Code.

In some cases, exemption from the nationality requirements may be granted. Application from exemption should be sent to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.

Competence and qualification requirements for crew on Norwegian ships

Personal certificate requirements for work on Norwegian ships are set out in the Regulations on qualifications and certificates for seafarers (the Qualification Regulations). See the regulations at the bottom of this page.

Seafarers holding a foreign certificate of competency, or a certificate of proficiency tankerman highest grase, must apply for endorsement. The endorsement may be issued on STCW certificates issued by flag States with which Norway has an agreement. The endorsement is valid only when accompanied by a national STCW certificate. Endorsement requirements are set out in chapter 9 of the Qualification Regulations. Here, you can see which certificates that need to be endorsed and which flag States Norway has an agreement with: Apply for endorsement

Crew nationality requirement

Masters on NIS ships

The master must be a Norwegian national, an EEA national or apply for exemption from the nationality requirement for work on ships of 250 gross tonnage and upwards. See information on endorsement for masters.

Masters with a foreign certificate of competency must take a course in Norwegian maritime legislation (NIS course).

Read more about this below under the heading "Course in Norwegian maritime legislation".

Other crew on NIS ships

There is no nationality requirement for other crew on NIS ships.

Masters on NOR ships

The master must be a Norwegian or EEA national to serve on ships of 250 gross tonnage and upwards.

Other crew on NOR ships

There is no nationality requirement for other crew on NOR ships.

Residence permit requirement

For employees that are not EEA nationals, the employer needs to check whether there is an applicable residence permit requirement, which depends on the operation of the ship in Norwegian waters. See informarion from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) her:

Contact the Service Centre for Foreign Workers (SUA) for more information about residence permits: Service Centre for Foreign Workers | SUA.

Course in Norwegian maritime legislation

Masters with a foreign certificate of competency on both NIS ad NOR ships must take a course in Norwegian maritime legislation (NIS Course).

For an overview of approved schools and training centres offering NIS courses, please go to endorsement for masters.

As of 2025, two providers offer online training.

Supervision and issue of trading certificates

The Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS)

All NIS ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards have been delegated to recognised organisations pursuant to the Class Agreement. The Norwegian Maritime Authority is the supervisory authority for NIS ships of less than 500 gross tonnage, as well as NIS ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards that are not delegated.

Delegation of mobile offshore units is mainly limited to hull and machinery, ISPS, ISPP, EIAPP and IAPP, cf. Annex I and Annex VI of the Class Agreement.

The Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR)

The Norwegian Maritime Authority supervises, inspects and issues trading certificates.

The issuing of international trading certificates for cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards may be delegated to the class upon request from the owner, cf. Annex III of the Class Agreement.

Mobile offshore units in NIS and NOR

Delegation of mobile offshore units is mainly limited to hulls and machinery, ISPS, ISPP, EIAPP og IAPP, cf. Annex II and Annex VI of the Class Agreement.

Recognised organisations

Here, you can firnd the Class Agreement and an overview of recognised organisations: Recognised organisations