Routeing measures in place off the coast of southern and western Norway

With effect from 1 June 2011, tankers and ships of 5000 gt will  be subject to new traffic separation measures off the coast of southern and western Norway.

”This is a milestone in  maritime safety along our coast and  in protection of the coastal environment” says Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Lisbeth Berg-Hansen. ”The routeing measures will reduce the risk of accidents and pollution along the coast by moving certain ships further away from shore. This will provide us with a better opportunity to assist ships in need, before a major incident develops.”

Norway’s proposals, in part co-sponsored by Denmark and Sweden,  were approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in November last year. The proposals were developed by the Norwegian Coastal Administration in cooperation with a representatives of  relevant parts of both the public sector, industry and non-governmental organisations.

”We were committed to moving quickly on this, and we are therefore pleased to adopt the necessary legislation and implement these measures at the earliest possible date, with effect from 1 June,” says the Minister.

In 2007, similar routeing measures were established off the coast of  northern Norway between Vardø and Røst following approval by the IMO.