The case concerns a Polish Styrke member who worked aboard the Singapore-registered accommodation vessel Safe Boreas, owned by Prosafe Offshore Ltd. The unit was laid up in Skipavika, Norway, for more than two years, and the member claims entitlement to overtime pay under Norwegian working time regulations.

The member argues that the working time arrangement applied was not permitted under the Norwegian Working Environment Act. The employer, on the other hand, maintains that Norwegian courts do not have jurisdiction because the unit is registered in Singapore and that Singaporean law should therefore apply.

The Case Can Be Heard in Norway

The lawsuit was filed with the Sogn og Fjordane District Court in the autumn of 2025. The District Court dismissed the case, finding that Norwegian courts lacked jurisdiction.

Styrke appealed the decision. On 1 July, the Gulating Court of Appeal ruled that the case can be heard in Norway, citing, among other things, the fact that a substantial part of the work was carried out while Safe Boreas was laid up in Norwegian waters.

Prosafe Offshore has appealed the Court of Appeal’s ruling to the Supreme Court.

Styrke’s legal department recently submitted its response to the appeal on behalf of the member, who is represented by attorney Ulrik Haukali.

Important for Employees Working in Norway

Haukali believes the case could have implications far beyond the individual member involved.

“This case is important because employees who work in Norway for extended periods of time must be able to bring employment-related claims before Norwegian courts and should not be forced to pursue their cases in the courts of the country where the vessel or installation is registered,” says Haukali.

Ulrik Haukali, attorney at Styrke. Photo: Atle Espen Helgesen

He points out that many employees perform work in Norway on vessels and installations registered in other countries. The outcome of the case could therefore influence where similar disputes will be heard in the future.

May Have Implications for Overtime Claims

If the Court of Appeal’s ruling is upheld by the Supreme Court, the case will be returned to the District Court.

At that stage, the main issue in dispute will be addressed:

Is the member entitled to overtime pay under the working time provisions of the Norwegian Working Environment Act?

For Styrke, the case concerns a fundamental principle: access to justice for employees who perform work in Norway.

“It is crucial that employees who work in this country have a genuine opportunity to have their rights reviewed by Norwegian courts,” says Haukali.