IN SHORT
The visits usually take place to established ports of call, either in open waters or to a port.
There has been a significant increase in the number of visits from nuclear-powered naval vessels to Norway in recent years. From 10–15 visits per year a few years ago, to 40–50 visits per year today. The most common visits are from nuclear-powered submarines, but the regulations also cover surface vessels such as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Required licence
A licence is required under the Nuclear Energy Activities Act to carry out visits from nuclear-powered vessels to Norwegian ports or in Norwegian territorial waters.
The Ministry of Defence grants licences for visits from military vessels. DSA is the highest safety authority under the Nuclear Energy Activities Act and the recommending and advisory body to the Ministry. DSA is also responsible for national nuclear preparedness and cooperates with local and regional authorities on emergency preparedness related to the visits.
Visits from nuclear-powered naval vessels
Today, there are two ports that have permission to receive visits from nuclear-powered vessels: Haakonsvern naval base outside Bergen and Grøtsund/Tromsø industrial port. Previously, Olavsvern outside Tromsø has also been able to receive nuclear-powered vessels.
However, most visits are carried out in open waters and last a few hours. The nuclear powered vessel enters internal waters, gets a pilot, is met by a Norwegian military escort vessel and makes transfer of personnel. When there is a need for major resupply, maintenance work or crew rest, the nuclear powered vessel enters port and berths, often for several days. Allied vessels also participate in maritime military exercises in Norwegian waters.
Norwegian authorities do not allow maintenance work to be carried out on the reactors during port visits.
About the arrival of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Oslo (Norwegian)
Licence requirement
A licence is required under the Nuclear Energy Activities Act to carry out visits from nuclear-powered vessels to Norwegian ports or in Norwegian territorial waters. For military vessels, the Ministry of Defence grants the licence. The Norwegian Armed Forces are the licence holder. DSA is the highest safety authority with regard to safety under the Nuclear Energy Activities Act and is therefore the recommending and advisory body for the Ministry.
DSA has prepared a guide that describes the requirements in connection with advance approval of licences for visits. The guide only deals with visits from military nuclear-powered vessels.
DSA booklet 7 Visits of nuclear-powered naval vessels
Consequence assessment
There are several different incidents that could occur during a port visit; The nuclear-powered vessel may run aground, collide, have a fire or explosion on board, or incidents may occur as a result of human errors or deliberate actions such as sabotage. The vessel could also be a target for an attack by a foreign power or terrorist organisation.
There is, based on previous experience with visits in Norway, low probability of something happening, and if something were to happen, there is still a low probability that incidents will have consequences for a reactor. There are a number of safety systems and barriers on board to ensure control of the reactors, ensure cooling and shut down reactors in case of emergency. The crew on board also have the competence and responsibility to handle serious reactor incidents if they should occur, and they also have a duty to notify Norwegian authorities if something happens.
The most serious situations are related to the loss of cooling of a reactor and subsequent meltdown of the reactor core.
In connection with the establishment of the new port of call in Tromsø and the visit of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Oslo, DSA has assessed the possible consequences of such a scenario for a number of different weather situations.
- Consequence assessments for scenarios related to visits for nuclear-powered vessels to Grøtsund (Norwegian) - pdf
- Consequence assessment related to generic visits of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers to the Port of Oslo (Norwegian)- pdf
Security and preparedness
The Norwegian Armed Forces host the visit, and there are strict requirements for reception plans, security arrangements and preparedness. The Norwegian Armed Forces personnel must have the necessary expertise and training to be able to handle the situations that may arise. Civilian and military preparedness plans shall be coordinated.
There are strict requirements for physical security and access restrictions during the visits. The nuclear-powered vessels have an escort for as long as the visit is ongoing and are in regular contact with Norwegian authorities.
At the national level, the Crisis Committee for Nuclear and Radiological Preparedness, where both civilian and military agencies participate, is responsible for assessing the situation, deciding on mitigating measures, and providing advice and information to other authorities, the media, and the public in the early phases of serious nuclear incidents. The Crisis Committee has a separate cooperation agreement with the Norwegian rescue service on the handling of rescue operations during incidents involving radioactive emissions.
DSA works closely with local and regional authorities on emergency preparedness related to visits from nuclear-powered vessels.
There are separate monitoring stations connected to the national automatic monitoring and warning network Radnett (Norwegian) at the ports of call, and there is also a network of dedicated air filter stations to detect even small amounts of radioactivity in air. DSA requires there to be an environmental monitoring program at the port of call.
What should I do if something happens?
If you are within a few kilometers of the vessel, you should stay indoors with windows closed and ventilation shut off until you get more information. You should not try to evacuate or take iodine tablets on your own without further notice. Keep up with news in the media.
The Norwegian authorities will monitor the situation closely and provide information and advice on what you should do.
More information
- DSA-info 4 2021 Visits of nuclear-powered vessels to Norwegian waters and ports (Norwegian) - pdf
- Questions and answers about the visit of nuclear-powered vessels to Tromsø industrial port Tønsnes (Norwegian) - pdf
- Questions and answers in connection with the visit of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the Port of Oslo (Norwegian) - pdf