Norwegian Government’s Cruise Committee Appointed “Cruise traffic has increased in recent years, both in Svalbard and along the coast of the mainland. A serious incident involving a cruise ship with a high number of passengers onboard represents a particular challenge", says Norwegian Minister of Justice and Preparedness Monica Mæland.
«No Restrictions on Returning to Svalbard Once Business Resumes» Svalbard Hotel Manager Stein-Ove Johannessen says foreign staff are positive to the government-proposed scheme for their going home, given that they are not excluded from returning. According to the Ministry of Justice, there are no restrictions for non-EU/EEA citizens who wish to return at a later stage.
Expert Communities Push for Svalbard Preparedness Base A united Norwegian preparedness community has worked for five years on a detailed plan for how to improve security in the High North. One of the top priority recommendations is the establishing of an Arctic preparedness base in Longyearbyen. – After all, we have the answers, says Tor Husjord of the Northern Maritime Forum, MFN.
Preparedness in the High North: - Ministry of Justice Must Step Up - The Ministry of Justice and Preparedness is remarkably absent from the discussion about Norway’s emergency preparedness in the High North. There is a lot of good; however, there are also gaps to fill, says emergency preparedness expert Odd Jarl Borch.
