Norwegian Maritime Authority
Norway's flag-state regulator for shipping, seafarers and autonomous-vessel trials.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority is Norway's flag-state regulator, which since 2024 has issued the world's first trading permits for fully remote-controlled commercial vessels.
Last refreshed: 24 July 2026
Has Norway legalised fully crewless commercial ships?
Timeline for Norwegian Maritime Authority
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Autonomous Systems: Land & SeaBackground
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (Sjofartsdirektoratet) is a Norwegian government agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, responsible for regulating life, health, working conditions and environmental protection aboard Norwegian-registered ships and vessels calling at Norwegian ports. Based in Haugesund, it acts as Norway's flag-state administration, certifying seafarers, approving vessel designs and enforcing maritime law across one of the world's largest ship registries.
Its RSV-12-2020 guidance established the first formal national framework for automated vessel functions, and since 2024 the Authority has issued trading permits for vessels operating fully via remote control without a support vessel present. In October 2025, Reach Remote 1, operated by Reach Subsea with Kongsberg and Massterly, became the first vessel to receive such a permit, showing that AI-based situational awareness and satellite connectivity can meet regulatory lookout requirements.
The Authority's approach is now studied as a template for IMO standard-setting on crewless commercial shipping.
What does the Norwegian Maritime Authority regulate?
Has Norway approved autonomous ships without a crew?
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