Recording data of the seabed

Has the area already been mapped? In the overview maps on Høydedata.no you can check what bathymetry the Norwegian Mapping Authority has. You can apply to the Norwegian Mapping Authority for declassification and access to high-resolution bathymetry.

Within Norwegian territorial waters, including Svalbard (12 nautical miles from the coast):  

• Permission must always be applied for to record information about seabed conditions in all areas that are 30 metres and deeper.  
• Always report planned recording of information about seabed conditions in areas from 0-30 metres deep . These shallow areas are mainly unclassified, with some exceptions.

More about Norway's maritime limits (in Norwegian only).

Report scheduled activity

No later than two weeks before the planned start of recording of information on seabed conditions, a notification must be sent to the Norwegian Mapping Authority with the necessary information by email to sjodata@kartverket.no.

The obligation to report applies to all types of mapping of the seabed and is not limited to classified information. In areas deeper than 30 metres, permission for recording of data must also be applied for to fulfill the reporting obligation (see more information about the obligation to apply).

The message to the Norwegian Mapping Authority must contain the following information:

Exact geographical description of the relevant area, preferably as a shape file or coordinate limits.

Name, organisation number and contact person of the business that will carry out the investigation/recording.

Which vessel will carry out the survey/recording. IMO numbers must be provided for the vessels that have these.

What type/category of equipment will be used.

The time period  when the survey/recording will be performed.

The notification with information is sent to sjodata@kartverket.no – no later than 2 weeks before start-up.

If planned activity hinders safe navigation, the person responsible must also notify the activity to the Norwegian Notices to Mariners (Efs).

Apply for permission

The application for permission to make recordings and use information about seabed conditions must be submitted to the Norwegian Mapping Authority. We are case managers on behalf of the Norwegian Armed Forces.

For the application, the Norwegian Mapping Authority needs necessary information, cf. Section 7 of the Regulations on recording and other use of information on specified seabed conditions.

Classified data and prohibition of recording

Prohibition of recording and other use of seabed condition information applies to areas within the territorial limits that are deeper than 30 metres. In addition to prohibited areas 0-30 metres deep, as defined by the Norwegian Armed Forces, the prohibition applies to:

• information shown by maps, images or video with a resolution higher than 50 metres by 50 metres between depth points (50 metre grid).
• similarly precise information resulting from text, numerical material or digital or physical models.

It is prohibited to share such seabed condition information with anyone who does not have permission.

How bathymetry is classified:

Depth is calculated from sea chart zero in Norwegian sea charts.

• From 0-30 metres deep: Unclassified data, with certain exceptions.
• Deeper than 30 metres: Data is classified under the Security Act.
• Bathymetry with a grid/resolution of 25x25 metres or better is classified as CONFIDENTIAL.
• Bathymetry with a grid/resolution of 25x25 metres up to 50x50 metres is classified as RESTRICTED.
• Bathymetry with a grid/resolution of 50x50 metres and coarser is unclassified.
• Bathymetry outside the territorial limits is unclassified.

Ref. Regulations on recording and other use of information on specified seabed conditions (lovdata.no).