The matter in summary: The government is surveying the security at Norwegian ports, and Longyearbyen on Svalbard is the next port out. The mapping comes in light of the security policy situation and several incidents at Norwegian ports that have increased the need for security. Local board chairman in Longyearbyen, Terje Aunevik, believes there is a need for an upgrade of the harbor to reduce the vulnerability of the local population. Senior researcher Andreas Østhagen believes that it makes sense to tighten security at the port in Longyearbyen, but believes that security in several ports in northern Norway should be reviewed. Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss says that the mapping will be in addition to other measures the government has already implemented to ensure safety in Norwegian ports. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – The harbor is extremely important for Longyearbyen. It is our lifeline to get supplies to the population, says local board leader Terje Aunevik (V). A major survey of the importance of Norwegian ports in national security, and the security of Norwegian ports, has been initiated by the government. In September, the government adopted the Security Act to ensure national interest in the port of Kirkenes, and is in the process of surveying whether larger parts of the port area are of importance to national security. – In light of the security policy situation, the government has intensified the work to assess the importance of relevant ports for safeguarding national security, says the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Ap) to news. After the survey of national security in the port of Kirkenes, the government warns that the port of Longyearbyen in Svalbard is on the way. The chairman of the local board, Terje Aunevik, believes that the harbor in Longyearbyen needs to be upgraded to reduce the vulnerability of the local population. Photo: Lars Nehru Sand / news Incidents at Norwegian ports A number of recent incidents in Norwegian ports have led to the government now wanting to increase security at Norwegian port facilities. European ports have also been exposed to possible sabotage incidents recently. – Mapping overtime Andreas Østhagen is a senior researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, and an expert on the geopolitical game in the Nordic region. He believes that a survey of security in Norwegian ports sounds reasonable. – And maybe overtime already, he points out. – In general, the Norwegian authorities should have full control over what takes place in Norwegian ports, especially when we are in a proxy conflict with Russia. Andreas Østhagen is also program coordinator for European security policy and the Nordic areas, at the Institute for Defense Studies (IFS) in Oslo. Photo: Aslaug Elisabeth Høgsæt Aarsæther / news He points out that NATO and Norway’s support for Ukraine has led to strong reactions from Russia, where Norway is considered a party to the conflict on the Ukrainian side. news has been in contact with head of state Lars Fause, who confirms that they have received a task letter about mapping from the government. The minister tells news that the survey will be in addition to other measures, which the government has already implemented to ensure safety in Norwegian ports. – The ministries work continuously to strengthen society’s ability to prevent crises and prevent unwanted incidents that may have an impact on national security. The government is continuously assessing the need to introduce further measures, says Sivertsen Næss. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Ap), is from Hammerfest where Norwegian LNG, produced on Melkøya, is shipped out to Europe. Photo: Pål Hansen / news – May risk harbor blockade Østhagen believes it may be sensible to survey the security of the harbor in Longyearbyen, since the area has gained increased strategic importance in recent years. He believes that a number of scenarios can play out if a conflict escalates between Norway and Russia: – You can risk a port blockade early in a conflict, or a deliberate act such as sabotage, which should appear as an accident. Local board chairman Terje Aunevik believes the transition from a coal-fired power plant in Longyearbyen to a power plant powered by diesel has increased the vulnerability in the event of an incident with the harbour. – Now we have to import diesel, and this makes us more vulnerable, since we no longer produce our own fuel for the power plant, as we did with coal power, he says. Photo: Ida Louise Rostad / news More ports should be looked at Andreas Østhagen believes that it will be important to look at the security of more ports in Northern Norway, not only in light of the incidents with the cargo ship “Ruby” in Tromsø, and the Chinese attempt to get port access in Kirkenes: – Russian fishing vessels still have access to the ports in Kirkenes, Tromsø and Båtsfjord, he emphasizes. He believes that Longyearbyen may become the first area of conflict between Norway and Russia, but that it has a limited role for national security. – If we are to continue to allow Russian vessels to enter and exit Norwegian territorial waters, and dock in Norwegian ports, the Norwegian authorities must at least be able to monitor the activity, says Østhagen. In 2015, American investors wanted to finance a giant quay on Svalbard. This illustration was commissioned by Snøhetta. Photo: FOTO:SKJERMDUMP/SNØHETTA Wants to expand the Svalbard harbor Ever since 2016, the state has investigated a possible development of the harbor in Longyearbyen. A report from the Norwegian Coastal Administration that year showed that it was socially justifiable to expand the port. Local board chairman Terje Aunevik has himself worked for a logistics company associated with the port in Longyearbyen and followed the development over many years. He believes it is time for the state to get serious about the plans to expand the port, in order to strengthen the preparedness of the local community. – The expansion of the area for quay facilities is not only linked to commercial activity, but we have an increased need for access for government vessels. For several years, the plan has been prioritized in the national transport plan, but in recent years the project has been downgraded. – Our one deep-water quay is starting to wear on its oars. It is a clear vulnerability for us, he emphasizes. Published 03.10.2024, at 20.53 Updated 03.10.2024, at 20.58
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Will survey the port’s importance for national security – news Troms and Finnmark
