New wreck removal insurance rules for Norwegian Ships

The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 (Nairobi Convention) will enter into force in Norway on 11 February 2025. From this date, the registered owner of a Norwegian ship of 300 gross tonnage and above is required to have approved insurance or other security covering the cost of locating, marking and removing wrecks pursuant to the rules of the Nairobi Convention.

As such., a certificate confirming this insurance or security must be issued,  concerning amendments to the Norwegian Maritime Code, etc. (removal of wrecks).

The application process

For Norwegian ships that do not yet have a Wreck Removal Certificate:

• Most insurance companies operate with a policy year running for one year starting from 20 February. This means that ships will need two Wreck Removal Certificates this year: one certificate for the period between 11 and 20 February 2025, and one certificate for the period between 20 February 2025 and 20 February 2026.
• As a result, the NMA will issue two certificates, but will only charge one fee. However, a few insurance companies operate with a policy year that starts on 1 January. Ships covered by these policies will be issued one Wreck Removal Certificate.
• The Wreck Removal Certifciate application should be submitted to the NMA as early as possible. The NMA has already started processing applications and issuing certificates valid from 11 February 2025. The certificate will be invoiced after the certificate’s start date.

Ships that have a Wreck Removal Certificate issued by another Convention State before 11 February 2025 may continue to operate under that certificate as long as it remains valid. When the certificate expires, or becomes invalid for any other reason, a new certificate must be issued by the NMA.