From 11 February 2025, all Norwegian ships of 300 gross tonnage and above are required to have a Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC) [1]. The new requirement comes after the Wreck Removal Convention enters into force in Norway 11 February 2025.

The WRC for Norwegian ships will now be issued by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA). In December 2024, the NMA published information about the types of ships requiring insurance: Soon, all Norwegian ships with a gross tonnage of 300 or more will need a Wreck Removal Certificate.

NMA confirms that it has now started processing applications and encourages those required to obtain a WRC to apply promptly, no later than 11 February.

Certificates will be issued as soon as they are ready, with the earliest date being 11 February 2025. If you require a certificate valid before this date, for instance, for international voyages, you must obtain it from another Convention State, such as Denmark.

For detailed guidance on the application process, please refer to Guidance Circular RSV 01-2025. Please note that the new certificate requirement will apply regardless of certification and area of operation, meaning it applies to both domestic and international voyages.

For insurance policies that renew later than 11 of February, you will need a WRC issued for two periods: one covering from 11 February to the renewal date of the policy, f.e. 20 February 2025, and another covering for the next policy period, f.e. from 20 February 2025.

Ships already holding a Wreck Removal Certificate due to voyages to countries that have previously ratified the Convention may continue operating under their existing certificates issued by other countries. This remains valid until the current certificate expires or becomes otherwise invalid.

If a ship requires renewal or modification of its Wreck Removal Certificate after 11 February 2025, the application must be submitted to the NMA.