Sjöfartsmyndighet

Sjöfartsmyndighet, or maritime authority, is a government agency or ministry charged with regulating and overseeing a country’s maritime activities. A maritime authority typically handles safety, security, and environmental protection of shipping, as well as governance of ship registration and crew licensing. It is often responsible for navigation infrastructure, such as nautical charts and maritime communications, and for enforcing national and international rules that apply to ships, ports, and seafarers. The precise mandate and organizational form vary by country, but core functions usually include rulemaking, inspection and certification, and supervision of maritime operations.

Key activities commonly performed by a sjöfartsmyndighet include issuing certificates and licenses to ships and seafarers, conducting inspections and surveys to verify compliance with conventions (for example SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW), policing safety and environmental rules, coordinating search and rescue efforts, and overseeing port state control and maritime environmental protection. It may also manage vessel traffic services, hydrographic surveying, and the maintenance of nautical charts and notices to mariners.

Internationally, maritime authorities operate within the framework of the International Maritime Organization and UNCLOS, implementing maritime conventions and cooperating with flag states, port states, and regional bodies. The term is used across Nordic and European contexts to denote the national body responsible for these duties; in Sweden, for example, Sjöfartsverket is a commonly cited instance of a sjöfartsmyndighet.