Norway Seizes Russian Fishing Vessel Azurit at Batsfjord Port

Post by : Shivani

The Norwegian government recently took control of the Russian fishing vessel Azurit after months of failed attempts to get the ship to leave the Port of Batsfjord. The vessel had been docked for over a year without proper clearance and had ignored repeated orders to sail away. This article explains the full story in simple terms.

About the Russian Fishing Vessel Azurit

The Azurit is a 39-meter-long (128 feet) fishing ship registered in Russia. Its home port is St. Petersburg. The vessel had docked in the remote Port of Batsfjord, located in northern Norway along the Barents Sea. Local companies carried out some repairs for the vessel, but the owners did not pay the repair bills, leading to the ship being detained while the crew stayed aboard.

Norway’s Changing Rules on Russian Vessels

New Restrictions Since 2022

Since 2022, Norway has tightened regulations on Russian vessels entering its ports. Starting that year and again in 2024, the government limited which ports Russian ships could visit to just three: Kirkenes, Batsfjord, and Tromsø. Some Russian fishing companies were denied permits entirely due to security concerns.

Maximum Time in Port

The new rules allowed Russian vessels to stay in Norwegian ports for up to five days only. However, the Azurit had been docked in Batsfjord for much longer than this limit. Norwegian authorities made it clear that staying beyond this time was illegal and posed risks not only financially but also to national security.

Failed Attempts to Remove Azurit

Official Expulsion Order

On December 6, 2025, Norway formally expelled the Azurit, ordering that it leave the port within five days. The government even tried multiple solutions to get the vessel to leave, including attempts to tow it out of the harbor. The police worked to secure the ship. Unfortunately, the Azurit remained docked with no action taken by its crew or owners.

Reasons for the Prolonged Stay

The captain stated that there was confusion because the ship had both a detention order and an eviction notice. However, this did not change the fact that the vessel was unlawfully overstaying in the port, owing around $200,000 to port authorities and local businesses. The state will cover the berthing fees while the situation is resolved.

Government Action and National Security Concerns

State Takeover of the Vessel

The government declared that it was essential to take control of the Azurit to protect national interests. Marianne Sivertsen Naess, Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, emphasized that the vessel's prolonged stay was a threat to national security and that swift action was needed. The Norwegian Coastal Administration has been tasked with removing and handling the vessel.

Implications for Norway-Russia Relations

The tightening of port access for Russian vessels is part of Norway’s response to concerns over espionage, sabotage, and hybrid security threats linked to Moscow. Some Russian fishing companies have been accused of participating in state-sponsored intelligence and surveillance activities targeting critical infrastructure.

What Comes Next for Azurit?

Removal and Dismantling

It is expected that the Azurit will be towed to a local shipyard where it will be dismantled. This marks the end of the vessel’s long, contentious stay at the Port of Batsfjord.

Russian Crew Departure

Following the state takeover, the remaining Russian crew aboard the vessel will be required to leave Norway.

The seizure of the fishing vessel Azurit reflects Norway’s firm stance on protecting its ports and national security interests. The case underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions that affect maritime operations in the Barents Sea region. Norway continues to balance the enforcement of new laws against Russian vessels while managing international relations.

Norway RussianFishingVessel Azurit PortOfBatsfjord MaritimeSecurity VesselSeizure FishingVessels ArcticMaritime BarentsSea MaritimeLaw InternationalRelations