Norway has proposed a groundbreaking law that would prohibit trade with Israeli settlements in Palestine, potentially criminalizing imports, exports, real estate transactions, and related services. The legislation follows similar measures adopted or under consideration across multiple EU countries, creating a complex compliance landscape for businesses with Israeli commercial relationships.

Last year, the maritime industry faced two significant, interlinked policy moves by the United States and China, each introducing special port‑related measures targeting vessels with ties to the other's jurisdiction.

Norwegian capital managers and their portfolio companies face new challenges as the EU's forced labor regulation comes into force in December 2027, potentially blocking market access for products containing components from high-risk countries like China. With the U.S. using forced labor as justification for punitive tariffs and China implementing counter-sanctions that restrict supply chain investigations, companies must urgently reassess their procurement strategies and compliance frameworks.

Norwegian seafood exports reached a record 181.5 billion kroner in 2025, yet the industry faces mounting challenges from rising protectionism and tariff barriers in key markets.

The Norwegian government postponed major parts of its new procurement law in spring 2025 to await the EU Commission's comprehensive revision of procurement directives. On September 9, the proposal for a new public procurement regulation was finally presented, replacing three existing directives from 2014. The proposal introduces new procurement procedures, minimum quality weighting requirements, and in certain cases, an obligation for contracting authorities to terminate awarded contracts.

This update explores some high level trends and legal developments across some of Norway's key sectors that have an international impact.

There is a notable presumption that confidentiality is a self-evident feature of international commercial arbitration.