Norwegian police boosts security in ports still open for Russian vessels

By Thomas Nilsen, The Barents Observer October 8, 2024
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Russia’s war on Ukraine and changes in threat assessments makes it necessary to strengthen the Police Security Service, says Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl.

The three harbours of Kirkenes, Båtsfjord and Tromsø in northern Norway are the only in Europe to allow Russian-flagged fishing vessels. Photo: Thomas Nilsen

Norway is allocating an additional 60 million kroner (€5,15 million) to strengthen control in ports amid fear of espionage and illegal exports of sanctioned goods.

The money will be earmarked to the Police Security Service (PST). More control and presence are needed as the regime for port calls was tightened in August, the government argues.

Last week, the Barents Observer could tell that in the course of the last 18 months, Customs only made one confiscation of sanctioned goods attempted to be smuggled out on board Russian fishing vessels. There are three ports in northern Norway still open; Tromsø, Båtsfjord and Kirkenes.

“We know that Russian fishing vessels are collecting intelligence. There are no coincidence when we see them sailing into Norwegian ports when NATO ships are in the area,” member of parliament Ola Elvestuen said.

Last month, a bulk carrier with 20,000 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate from Russia sparked security concern in Tromsø when asking for port of refuge. In Kirkenes, trawler crew have both been walking the streets with military-stylish uniforms and violated shore leave regulations when approaching an area with critical infrastructure.

“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the development of the threat picture with an intensified and more unpredictable terrorist threat mean that Norway is in a demanding security policy situation. This has had consequences for all PST’s areas of responsibility and it is therefore necessary to strengthen PST in 2025,” says Minister of Justice and Public Security, Emilie Enger Mehl.

Located in Kirkenes, Norway, just a few kilometres from the borders to Russia and Finland, the Barents Observer is dedicated to cross-border journalism in Scandinavia, Russia and the wider Arctic.

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