“This is a major and important step for maritime safety in Norway. We now have a unified system for navigation aids along the entire Norwegian coast in accordance with international standards, making it easier and safer for everyone at sea to navigate,” said Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy.
The conversion is part of the NCA’s long-term effort to modernize and digitalize the country’s maritime infrastructure.
“This is both a safety and modernisation project. We are aligning with international standards, reducing maintenance needs, and supporting more environmentally friendly operation of our infrastructure. The goal is a future sea route that remains safe and efficient,” said Einar Vik Arset, Director General of the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
A common standard for safer navigation
IALA – the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation – works to ensure that navigation aids and lighthouses follow consistent principles across the world.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration began planning the conversion in 2018, and since 2019 has gradually adjusted the color sectors of all coastal lights to meet the IALA standard.
“When navigating along a complex and weather-exposed coastline like Norway’s, the colors and light characteristics of coastal beacons can represent the difference between safe and unsafe sailing,” said Tatjana Eriksen, Manager of Section for Planning, NCA.
Every coastal light along Norway’s shore
The work covered all of the approximately 1,770 coastal lights currently in operation along Norway’s shoreline. The changes were both practical and technical: adjusting sector boundaries, changing color patterns, and modernising equipment.
“As part of the conversion, we also upgraded to energy-efficient LED lights and introduced remote monitoring systems. This reduces energy consumption, simplifies maintenance, and increases reliability — while mariners will simply notice that the lights are functioning as intended,” explained Tatjana Eriksen.
Final beacon converted in Horten
On Tuesday, 11 November, the Norwegian Coastal Administration marked the milestone by lighting the Horten beacon, the final navigation light converted to the IALA standard.
“It was a proud moment. This project has been a major joint effort by our experts — planners, project managers, and field crews — working closely together to ensure everything was done correctly,” said Trond Røren, Head of Department for Shipping, Fairways and Aids to Navigation, NCA.
Safety and predictability
For mariners, the conversion means that all coastal navigation lights in Norway now comply with international standards. Foreign vessels sailing along the Norwegian coast will encounter the same color system used elsewhere in Europe, reducing the risk of navigation errors.
“Navigation aids are part of our national safety infrastructure. By making it easier to interpret lights and signals correctly, we help prevent accidents and make sailing safer for everyone,” said Trond Røren, adding that good voyage planning remains essential for both professional and recreational mariners.
“And remember: always keep your nautical charts up to date!”