The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries has instructed the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) to revise its practice regarding exemptions for masters on ships registered in the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS).
From 18 November 2024, exemptions will no longer be granted for Russian nationals serving as masters.
In its instruction, the Ministry refers to the NMA’s current practice under section 87 third paragraph of the Regulations on qualifications and certificates for seafarers. This provision entitles non-EEA nationals to serve as masters on NIS-registered ships of 250 gross tonnage or more.
However, for reasons of emergency preparedness, the Ministry has instructed that exemptions under the clause in section 87 third paragraph second sentence, will no longer be granted to Russian nationals.
The revised practice will apply to decisions made on or after 18 November 2024, even if applications were submitted before this date. From the same date, Confirmation of Receipt of Application (CRA) will also no longer be issued to these seafarers.
Permissions granted before the instruction’s effective date of 18 November will remain unaffected. Endorsements issued prior to this date will continue to be valid until their expiration, as will any CRA already issued.
