New Svalbard rules 2025
New rules for sailing to and in Svalbard were introduced for the 2025 season. This info is an update to the book Sail to Svalbard. If you don’t have it, please check out the Books-section to order.
Sailing to Svalbard
In addition to the formalities with applying for a cruising permit from the Governor of Svalbard, all boats must also use SeaSeaNet to register their transit from Norway or any other country to Svalbard. You must register as a user, and the process is not straightforward as the system is developed for large commercial vessels. If any problems, contact their help desk or make contact with the Governor of Svalbard to sort it out.
If you are returning to mainland Norway from Svalbard you must clear customs when arriving. If your boat is bigger than 15 meters, you also have to use SafeSeaNet to let them know you are on you way from Svalbard to Norwegian territorial waters. If your boat is smaller than 15 meters, you don’t have to use SafeSeaNet when sailing to and in Norwegian waters.
Sailing in Svalbard - the main changes for private sailing expeditions
All commercial vessels now have special rules and regulations to follow when sailing around Svalbard. The definition of a commercial vessel is very strict: If a boat/skipper receives any kind of payment from crew, they are considered commercial. So all boat expenses should be covered by the skipper, just to make everything crystal clear.
All commercial ships now only have 43 landingspots. This means that these places most likely will be busy, so private sailing boats are better of visiting other places or time their visit carefully to avoid the crowds. Here's the map of the dedicated tourist spots for the commercial vessels.
Use of drones
Both the Svalbard Environmental Act and the conservation regulations have new rules regarding the use of drones. From 1 April to 31 August, it is not permitted to fly drones closer than 500 metres from bird cliffs, and in protected areas, there is a general ban on the use of drones.
Boat traffic
The Motor Traffic Regulations have included provisions on speed limits and distance requirements for walrus haul-sites and bird cliffs. You must keep at least 150 meters from walrus haul-sites. If you drive closer than 300 meters to the haul-sites, you cannot drive faster than 5 knots.
At designated bird cliffs, a corresponding speed limit of 5 knots applies during the period from April 1 to August 31 if you are closer than 500 meters from land.
Polar bear protection
You must keep at least 300 meters away from bears. In the period from March 1 to June 30, one must keep at least 500 meters away. If one discovers a bear at close range, one is obliged to retreat. You must also carry firearms, and they must be registered.
Here’s the link to the new rules with maps.
If in doubt, contact the Governor of Svalbard.
