Norbit ASA

07/12/2026 | Press release | Archived content

From Preparedness to Dynamic Response

Reflections from the NOSCA Seminar 2026
The NOSCA Seminar 2026 in Bergen brought together oil spill response professionals, technology providers, authorities, researchers, and industry stakeholders for a timely discussion on the future preparedness, response, and decision support at sea.

Held under the theme "Where Insight Meets Connection", the seminar programme reflected both the complexity and urgency facing the sector today: evolving fuel types, geopolitical uncertainty, ageing response infrastructure, supplier resilience, digital transformation, and the growing need for trusted real-time data in emergency response.

For NORBIT Aptomar, the seminar was a valuable opportunity to engage with industry peers, observe operational response capabilities in practice, and contribute to discussions around how advanced detection, monitoring, and situational awareness technologies can support more effective oil spill preparedness. Here are some of our key takeaways from the seminar:

NOSCA conference in Bergen 2026
#1 Oil spill detection remains critical
While the maritime industry continues to evolve, the need for early, accurate, and reliable oil spill detection remains fundamental.

Fast detection is often the difference between a contained incident and a prolonged, complex response. Whether responding to bunker fuel, crude oil, or new and alternative marine fuels, decision-makers need a clear and timely understanding of what has happened, where the pollution is moving, and which resources should be deployed.

Radar-based remote sensing from both fixed and mobile platforms will continue to play an important role in future preparedness and response concepts, particularly when combined with EO/IR systems for verification and assessment. This layered approach gives responders greater confidence and a more complete understanding of situations as they develop.

"Oil spill detection remains one of the most critical elements of any effective response architecture. The industry can focus heavily on response capability, but response can only be effective when it is based on timely and reliable detection and tracking. You cannot manage what you cannot see.

As response environments become more complex, the ability to establish a trusted operational picture quickly will only become more important. Through solutions such as NORBIT Aptomar's SeaDarQ, SECurus and SeaCOP, we see how integrating detection, verification and operational decision support can help transform data into actionable awareness. This layered approach provides responders with greater confidence and a more complete understanding of situations as they develop." Stefan Sagen, Managing Director, NORBIT Aptomar.

#2 Live exercises prove the value of operational collaboration
A key highlight of the seminar was the live exercise observed on the water with the Norwegian Coastal Administration - Kystverket. The exercise provided a practical demonstration of how vessels, equipment, and response teams work together in a realistic operational setting.

For NORBIT Aptomar, it was particularly valuable to see Aptomar's SECurus EO/IR camera technology and SeaDarQ oil spill detection system in use onboard OV Ryvingen. Seeing these technologies applied in a live response context reinforced the importance of integrating detection and monitoring tools into real operational workflows as part of a wider response and not just as a standalone system.

The exercise also demonstrated the value of multiple perspectives. TiePoint's drone operations provided live streaming from above, adding another layer of visual intelligence and supporting a broader understanding of the evolving situation.

Oil spill exercise in Bergen
The image above shows some of the vessels involved in the live exercise, including OV Ryvingen (top right) and a screenshot of the streamed footage from TiePoint's drone operations (bottom right)
Together, vessel-based sensors, aerial observations, and live data sharing highlighted the fact that oil spill response is moving towards a more connected, dynamic, and evidence-led decision-making process.

#3 New fuels and emerging risks demand a new approach to preparedness
One of the recurring themes throughout the seminar was the changing risk picture facing maritime response organisations.

As the industry moves towards alternative and low-carbon fuels, preparedness planning must evolve accordingly. Future fuels may behave differently in the marine environment, present different safety challenges, and require new response strategies. Assumptions based on traditional fuel types may no longer be sufficient.

This shift demands more than updated contingency plans. It requires a more adaptive approach to preparedness, one that combines scenario-based planning, continuous learning, operational data, and cross-sector collaboration.

"Through the NOSCA seminar, we succeed bringing together a wide variety of stakeholders in a format that is big enough to be relevant, but small enough to ensure meaningful interaction, valuable networking and the exchange of insights and ideas that can better prepare us for the emerging response challenges." Eirik Langeland, Managing Director, NOSCA Clean Oceans.

#4 Static planning must evolve to dynamic governance
Historically, oil spill preparedness has often relied on static planning with predefined scenarios, fixed response structures, and periodic updates to contingency plans. While this remains an important foundation, the pace of change in maritime operations, fuel use, environmental sensitivity, and geopolitical risk means that static planning alone is no longer sufficient.

Instead, there needs to be a move towards dynamic governance which means treating preparedness as an evolving process. It requires response organisations to continuously update their understanding of risk, integrate new data sources, adapt plans based on changing operational realities, and make decisions using the best available information in real-time.

It is important to note that this does not replace traditional preparedness planning, instead it strengthens it. By combining established procedures with live sensor data, modelling, remote observations, digital platforms, and shared situational awareness, response teams can move more effectively from detection, to decision, to action.

"Operational readiness is more than contingency planning and exercising. It is also about the ability to adapt to the shifting threats and risks by making use of intelligence, technology, and updated knowledge. In a shifting environment, both related to technology developments, environmental sensitivities, and geopolitical changes, it is crucial that response organizations are able to absorb and adapt to this." Kjetil Aasebø, Head of Operation and Coordination, Norwegian Coastal Administration - Kystverket.

#5 Trusted data must translate into actionable awareness
As digital tools become more advanced, the response community must also remain focused on trust, more data does not automatically mean better decisions. Data must be reliable, timely, relevant, and presented in a way that supports operational understanding. During an incident, responders need actionable awareness and not just data.

This is why integration of Oil Spill Detection systems, EO/IR cameras, vessel tracking, satellite data, drone feeds, meteorological information and drift modelling into a Common Operational Picture (COP) provides the most valuable oversight for interpretation and decision-making within a shared operational framework.

For NORBIT Aptomar, this reinforces the importance of solutions that support clear decision-making under high pressure situations. Technologies such as SeaCOP, SeaDarQ and SECurus are part of a broader shift towards connected response, where sensor data and operational insight come together to support faster, more informed decisions.

Oil spill detection software from NORBIT Aptomar
#6 Strong collaboration remains central to response capability
The NOSCA Seminar demonstrated the value of bringing together responders, authorities, technology providers, operators, and research organisations, strengthening the fact that oil spill response is not the responsibility of one organisation alone. It is reliant on coordination, shared standards, trusted relationships, tested procedures, and a willingness to learn from real-world exercises and incidents.

As risks evolve, collaboration becomes even more important. Industry must continue to share lessons learned, test new approaches, challenge assumptions, and invest in the technologies and governance models needed for the next generation of preparedness.

attendees at NOSCA seminar 2026
NOSCA 2026 attendees
Looking to the future
The outcomes from this year's NOSCA Seminar provide a clear direction for the future of oil spill response. Detection must remain fast and reliable, preparedness must become more adaptive, and decision-making must be supported by trusted real-time data.

For NORBIT Aptomar, the seminar reinforced our commitment to supporting smarter, safer, and more effective maritime response through advanced situational awareness and oil spill detection technology.

As the industry adapts to new fuels, new risks, and new operational realities, the ability to detect, understand, and respond dynamically will become increasingly important. The challenge is not only to prepare for known scenarios, but to build the capability to respond confidently when conditions change.

NORBIT Aptomar works with response organisations, operators, and authorities to strengthen oil spill detection, situational awareness, and operational decision support to help teams move faster from detection to understanding, and from understanding to action.

To learn more about how SECurus, SeaCOP, and SeaDarQ can support your preparedness and response strategy, contact the NORBIT Aptomar team.
Norbit ASA published this content on July 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 16, 2026 at 16:28 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]