History of the Norwegian Coastal Administration
The history of the Norwegian Coastal Administration's areas of activity can be traced far back in time, much further than the history of the Norwegian Coastal Administration itself.
Maritime transport was a prerequisite for settlement along our long coastline, as well as a fundamental factor in the establishment of Norway as a seafaring nation The fishing industry is, and has been, an important part of the economic base and settlement along the coast, and the Norwegian Coastal Administration currently owns and manages close to 800 fishing ports.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration's task has been to maintain a high level of safety and accessibility along the Norwegian coast by the development and maintenance of a maritime infrastructure, in addition to providing various maritime services.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration is a young agency in name. but it maintains the long-standing traditions of its predecessors: the Lighthouse and Buoy Authority, Pilot Authority and Port Authority. The Coast Directorate was established in 1974 by merging the Lighthouse and Buoy, Pilot and Port Authorities.
In 1981 the term Norwegian Coastal Administration was introduced as a collective term for the entire agency, when the regional organisation was established with regional district offices in Arendal, Haugesund, Ålesund, Kabelvåg and Honningsvåg.
In 2002 the directorate was moved from Oslo to Ålesund. The regional offices were assigned special areas of responsibility and represent national centres for various areas of specialisation within the agency. The Norwegian Coastal Administration's shipping company, which is located in Ålesund, was spun off as a separate unit.
In 2003 the Emergency Preparedness Unit for Acute Pollution, which was formerly under the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (now the Climate and Pollution Agency) was placed under the Norwegian Coastal Administration. This unit is located in Horten, Ålesund (lawyers), Tromsø and Bergen as of 2010.
In 2007 the name Coast Directorate was changed to the Norwegian Coastal Administration's head office. The district offices became regional offices at the same time.
Latest news
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Work will now begin on the Stad Ship Tunnel
The Norwegian Coastal Administration has received the assignment letter from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, which gives a green light to start preparations for the construction of the Stad Ship Tunnel.
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Safer Shipping in the Arctic
ArcticInfo is a website that provides information about the conditions in Arctic waters, and decision support to support safer voyages. By increasing maritime safety in the High North, we reduce the risk of unwanted incidents and accidents.
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New AI monitoring tool introduced in the VTS service
The Norwegian Coastal Administration will soon introduce a new digital decision support tool based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms that provides more automated monitoring of ship traffic. The tool gives VTS centres a better basis for earlier detection of unwanted and critical traffic situations.
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Fees for 2021
Fees for 2021 have increased to meet the expected increase in prices and wages by 2.1 per cent on average in 2021. The Norwegian government will finance the loss in income caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
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The NCA will build the world's first ship tunnel
Following the government's budget negotiations, funds have been set aside for the start-up of the Stad Ship Tunnel in 2021. The project is now estimated to cost NOK 3.45 billion.
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