Remember the “Viking Sky” near catastrophe in 2019?:
Weather forecast may result in travel bans
7.11.2025 14:47:13 CET | Norwegian Coastal Administration | Press release
For particularly vulnerable waters, the Norwegian Coastal Administration is introducing a traffic ban for passenger vessels over 150 meters.
The incident with Viking Sky in Hustadvika in 2019 can be linked to the rules that are now being implemented. Torgeir Are Sortehaug
The rules come into force on 1 January 2026 and apply to designated areas when the Norwegian Meteorological Institute warns of strong gales, i.e. average winds of 17.2 m/s (Beaufort 8) or more.
The ban applies to six exposed coastal areas: Stadt, Hustadvika, Folda, Fugløykalven, Sørøya and Honningsvåg. You can find the areas here: https://kystinfo.kystverket.no/sjotrafikkforskrift
Particularly exposed to weather
The areas in question are particularly weather-prone waters along the Norwegian coast. The new sailing rules that have now been adopted by the Norwegian Coastal Administration mean that passenger vessels over 150 meters are prohibited from sailing in these waters when strong gales are reported.
“Large passenger vessels operating in demanding waters challenge the ability to respond if something were to happen. The new rules will help reduce risk and ensure that voyages are carried out in a safe and responsible manner,” points out Arve Dimmen, director of the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
The measure follows up on a recommendation given in NOU 2022: 1 “Cruise traffic in Norwegian waters and adjacent sea areas” and is intended to strengthen the safety of large passenger ships in areas where weather conditions can make rescue and emergency response work demanding. The regulation that has now been put out for consultation is one of many measures that were proposed after the near-accident with the cruise ship Viking Sky in 2019.
Wind assessment is based on gale and storm warnings from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. These warnings cover the entire Norwegian coast and are issued at expected wind speeds of stiff gales (13.9 m/s). The form of the warning is defined based on international standards. The warnings are disseminated via the Coastal Radio and made available on Yr under danger warnings, and are also published as text warnings onMet.no.
How should this be handled?
The maritime traffic control center in Vardø is responsible for supervising compliance with the rules.
Vessels sailing through the designated areas must pay attention to gale and storm warnings from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. The warnings apply to stretches along the coast, and if the warning for the relevant stretch reports strong gales, the area will be closed to sailing through. This means that the vessel must either sail outside the area or wait for better weather.
A vessel that has commenced a voyage in one of the prohibited areas will not have to interrupt the voyage if an updated warning of strong gales is issued while the vessel is in the area.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration will evaluate the traffic ban once it has been in effect for a while, and if necessary make minor adjustments/changes.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration is working on guidance for the practical implementation of the ban.
Source: Værvarsel kan gi ferdselsforbud | Kystverket
PS: This only applies to vessels sailing close to the coast in the designated areas of the coastal fairway:
illustration taken from kystinfo.kystverket.no
