Hybrid threats are reshaping maritime security in the Arctic. SecureSeas examines how Norway can better detect, understand and respond to them.
About the project
Norway manages one of the world's largest maritime areas, around eight times larger than its mainland territory. Much of this area lies in the Arctic, where growing geopolitical tensions are creating new security challenges.
Hybrid threats at sea can take many forms. They may involve cyberattacks, sabotage of critical infrastructure, intelligence gathering disguised as civilian activity, illegal fishing, economic pressure, military exercises near civilian operations or the use of civilian vessels for strategic purposes. These activities often remain below the threshold of armed conflict, making them difficult to detect, interpret and respond to.
SecureSeas explores how Norway can strengthen its preparedness against maritime hybrid threats by combining expertise in international law, security policy and Arctic geopolitics.
Why this matters
The security situation in Northern Europe has changed dramatically in recent years. As a coastal state with vast Arctic waters, Norway needs a better understanding of hybrid threats at sea and of the legal and political tools available to respond to them.
Norwegian waters are important for energy production, shipping, fisheries, communications and critical infrastructure. Recent years have also raised new concerns about damage to subsea cables, suspicious activity by research and fishing vessels, Russia’s shadow fleet, military exercises near Norwegian fisheries and the security of offshore infrastructure.
Climate change is making the Arctic more accessible, increasing both economic activity and geopolitical competition. This makes it even more important to understand how hybrid activity may unfold at sea, and how Norway can detect, prevent and respond to such threats.
What we will study
SecureSeas examines how hybrid threats emerge and operate in Norwegian waters, how international law can be applied when such activities exploit legal grey zones, and how Norway can respond more effectively.
The project will analyse scenarios involving subsea cables, offshore installations, illegal fishing, maritime militias, military exercises, intelligence gathering, environmental manipulation and other forms of hybrid activity at sea.
SecureSeas will also compare Norway's approach with those of Finland, Japan and the United States. These countries face many of the same maritime security challenges and offer valuable lessons for building resilience.
Drawing together legal analysis, international politics and practical experience, the project will develop research-based recommendations to strengthen Norway's ability to detect, prevent and respond to maritime hybrid threats.
Project period:
The project runs from 2026–2028.
