Norwegian ship in the Mediterranean Sea

Norwegian authorites have been contacted in connection with a Norwegian registered vessel having carried out seismic research in the Eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea.  Greek authorities have protested against these operations, which apparently were being carried out on a commercial basis on behalf of a Turkish client in an area where both Greece and Turkey have maritime claims.  

Norwegian authorities do not take position on any unresolved issues of maritime delimitation between third States.  It is up to the States that have overlapping claims in a maritime area to settle outstanding issues and achieve agreement on boundaries, on the basis of the law of the sea.

Norwegian authorities do not have the power to issue instructions to Norwegian companies or vessels engaged in activities in other States’ maritime areas of jurisdiction.  The companies concerned are however presumed to have the responsibility to ensure that they have all necessary authorizations. In potentially disputed areas there are particular grounds to exercise caution and restraint.