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Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC)

The certificate applies to all ships of 300 GT and above.

Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC)

  1. The certificate applies to all ships of 300 gross tonnage and above.
  2. The registered owner is the only one who can take out insurance.
  3. The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) issues Wreck Removal Certificates to Norwegian and foreign ships.
  4. Only ships from flag States that are on the Paris MoU White List may be issued a certificate from the NMA.
  5. Ships without a certificate may be detained or evicted.

More information on the Wreck Removal Certificate

The Wreck Removal Certificate is a certificate for ships of 300 gross tonnage and above confirming that the ship has approved insurance or other security covering the costs of locating, marking and removing wrecks pursuant to the rules of the Nairobi Convention.

The NMA accepts applications from both Norwegian and foreign ships. Please note that Norwegian ships will be given priority, and that there are conditions for the ships that are registered with another flag State. The flag State of the foreign ship must be on the Paris MoU White List, and the flag State can not have ratified the Convention. Beyond this, priority will be given to foreign ships that can document that they will enter Norwegian territory.

The Nairobi Convention enters into force in Norway on 11 February 2025, and the new chapter 10a of the Norwegian Maritime Code will enter into force on the same date. The NMA asks affected registered vessel owners to apply for a Wreck Removal Certificate as soon as possible, and by 11 February at the lastest. 

Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and above without a Wreck Removal Certificate

  • Some insurance companies operate with a policy year that lasts from 1 January until 31 December. These vessels neew a Wreck Removal Certificate valid for the period between 11 February and 31 December 2025.

  • Some insurance companies operate with a policy year running for one year starting from 20 February. These companies will issue two insurance certificates.

In these cases, a WRC will be issued for two periods: 11 February until 20 February 2025, and for 20 February 2025 until 20 February 2026. However, there will only be one fee.

Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and above with a Wreck Removal Certificate from another Convention State

If a ship needs to renew or change its Wreck Removal Certificate after 11 February 2025, the application must be sent to the Norwegian Maritime Authority.

Ships that already have a Wreck Removal Certificate, as a result of voyages to countries that have previously ratified the Convention, may continue to operate with their existing certificates issued by other countries. They can do so until the current certificate expires or becomes invalid for other reasons.

Application

Applications should be sent to post@sdir.no.

Please make sure you include:

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

The NMA can approve the following companies as insurance providers:

Insurance companies that are members of the International Group of P&I Clubs, or that are registered in the EU/EEA and have registered cross-border activities, will be automatically approved upon application.

Insurance companies that can document that they are approved by other flag States that are parties to the Paris MoU will generally be approved.

Other insurance companies must document their financial strength in order to be considered for approval by the Norwegian Maritime Authority.