-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
Norwegian government announced that it will formally transpose the European Union’s restrictive measures into Norwegian law by listing Norebo JSC and Murman Seafood—two Russian fishing companies—under its hybrid‐activities sanctions framework, according to the statement released on July 7.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide emphasized the national security imperative: “We have witnessed increasingly aggressive hybrid campaigns against allied undersea infrastructure. Intelligence indicates Norebo JSC and Murman Seafood have been involved in state-sponsored surveillance of pipelines and cables in Norwegian and allied waters. Such activities can pave the way for sabotage operations and threaten vital Norwegian interests,” he said.
Under the sanctions, vessels owned or operated by these companies will be barred from Norwegian ports and territorial waters, and no new fishing licenses will be issued in Norway’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Norway’s decision follows the EU’s May 20 adoption of additional listings under its “hybrid regime,” established in October 2024 to counter state-sponsored sabotage, cyber-attacks, and disinformation targeting critical infrastructure.
Under Norway’s Regulation of March 14, 2025, on restrictive measures in light of Russia’s destabilizing activities, the two firms will be subject to asset freezes and transaction bans.
Financial institutions and citizens are likewise prohibited from providing funds or economic resources to the listed entities.
Oslo had already joined the EU’s seventeenth package of Russia sanctions at the end of June, in step with Switzerland, and this latest move reaffirms Norway’s pledge to stand with the EU and other partners to protect critical infrastructure and uphold international law.
Earlier, the European Union adopted its 17th sanctions package against Russia, imposing an oil price cap, blacklisting almost 200 vessels from the so-called ‘shadow fleet’, expanding individual listings, and targeting actors behind hybrid threats and human rights violations.
