Norway Reviews Future of Controversial U-864 Wreck After New Covering Recommendation

Norwegian authorities are preparing to make a fresh decision on the long-running U-864 submarine wreck case after a new government-commissioned assessment recommended covering the wreck and contaminated seabed outside Fedje.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration has recommended that the wreck of U-864 and the polluted seabed around it should be covered rather than removed. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries said on September 1 that it will now review the report before determining the next steps.

Decades-old wreck remains an environmental concern

U-864 is a German submarine that sank off the Norwegian island of Fedje during the Second World War. The wreck has remained a major environmental issue because mercury contamination has been identified in the surrounding seabed.

Norwegian authorities have conducted repeated investigations to better understand the condition of the wreck and the potential risks associated with the contaminated area.

The latest assessment follows investigations carried out during 2025 and 2026, commissioned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.

Coastal Administration recommends covering the site

The Norwegian Coastal Administration’s latest recommendation is to use a covering solution over the wreck and contaminated seabed.

The proposal is intended to contain the contaminated material and reduce the possibility of pollutants spreading into the surrounding marine environment.

The ministry has not yet made a final decision. Officials said the new report will first undergo further examination before the government determines how the case should proceed.

Government faces difficult environmental decision

The U-864 case has been under consideration for many years because of the technical and environmental difficulties involved in dealing with the wreck.

Removing the submarine and contaminated material could involve considerable engineering challenges and create risks during the operation. Leaving the site untreated, meanwhile, raises concerns about long-term contamination.

The latest recommendation therefore gives Norwegian authorities a new basis for evaluating whether permanently covering the site provides the most appropriate solution.

Public consultation expected

The government’s next steps will depend on its review of the Coastal Administration’s findings.

Norwegian authorities are expected to consider the environmental consequences, technical feasibility and long-term safety implications before reaching a final conclusion.

The case remains closely watched because the decision could determine how Norway manages one of its most prominent marine contamination sites.

For now, the government has confirmed that the latest recommendation will form an important part of its continued assessment of the U-864 wreck and the contaminated seabed near Fedje.