The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is making a port call in Oslo from November 1st. The arrival of nuclear-powered vessels requires a license. The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), as the highest professional authority on safety issues under the Atomic Energy Act, has received and processed an application from the Norwegian Armed Forces.
- DSA has conducted a thorough assessment of the application from the Norwegian Armed Forces. We consider it safe to carry out this port call, provided that the procedures are followed as described in the application and that the conditions we have set are met, says Director Per Strand at DSA.
Strict Safety Requirements
DSA requires that risk assessments, emergency plans, safety procedures, and coordination with civilian authorities must be in place before a port call can take place.
– Our assessment is that there is a very low probability of a serious incident occurring in connection with this visit. Should an unwanted incident nevertheless occur, we have a solid nuclear preparedness in Norway, built around the Crisis Committee for Nuclear Preparedness, says Strand.
DSA has established monitoring of radioactivity around the aircraft carrier. If an unwanted incident should occur, DSA will immediately notify relevant authorities and the public. DSA maintains constant vigilance during port calls at Norwegian ports and has a 24-hour emergency watch. To verify that there are no releases of radioactivity while the aircraft carrier is in Oslo, DSA monitors radioactivity in the air and water.
- We analyze the water samples taken by the Norwegian Armed Forces before, during, and after the visit, says Strand.
Facts about Arrivals of Nuclear-Powered Vessels in Norway
- Nuclear-powered vessel port calls require a license (under the Atomic Energy Act).
- DSA assesses whether safety is ensured in the Norwegian Armed Forces’ application and provides a recommendation to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence then grants the license based on the DSA’s recommendation.
- There are strict requirements for reception plans, safety arrangements, and emergency preparedness when nuclear-powered vessels make port calls.
- The number of applications for permits for the arrival of nuclear-powered vessels to Norwegian ports and waters has increased in recent years.
- Norway has two regular ports of call: Haakonsvern Naval Base outside Bergen and Grøtsund Industrial Port outside Tromsø.
- Nuclear-powered vessels can also receive permits from the Ministry of Defence to call at other ports after a thorough assessment by DSA.