Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago Sets Strict Cruise Limits

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, clients trying to visit Svalbard, Norway by cruise will have fewer options. Changes to the country’s Svalbard Environmental Protection Act will limit the number of passengers permitted onboard a ship and on land, as well as the number of permissible shore landing sites.

The changes will be presented to the Norwegian parliament shortly for final approval.

Starting Jan. 1:

• Only cruise ships with a maximum of 200 passengers onboard will be allowed to visit the protected areas of Svalbard, including its national parks and nature reserves.
• The number of cruise passengers who can be ashore at any single time at select sites will be reduced to no more than 39, and one guide for every 12 passengers will be required.
• The number of landings sites within those protected areas will be reduced to 43 from 200 possible sites.
• All cruise ships will be required to stay at least 492 feet (150 meters) from walruses (except for necessary access to ports), and will need to limit their speed within 5 knots when within 985 feet (300 meters) of walrus haul-out and rest sites.
• Cruise ships will also be required to reduce their speed to 5 knots and remain 1,640 feet (500 meters) away from bird cliffs between April 1 and August 31.
• Cruise ships will not be permitted to break fast ice (ice that is anchored to the shore or ocean bottom).
• Drone usage will be prohibited in all protected areas.

Longyearbyen, the most popular port in Svalbard, is not within a protected area, so larger ships will be able to continue docking there and offer land excursions from the port. 

TMR reached out to some cruise lines that could be impacted by the changes. 

“Looking ahead to Arctic 2025 and beyond, it is essential to highlight that that the entire industry is in the understanding and assessing phase of engaging with the changes the Norwegian Government has announced recently,” a spokesperson for Quark Expeditions told TMR.