The authority, subordinate to the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry, is located in Haugesund and led by Director General of Shipping and Navigation Olav Akselsen.

[1] The main job for the authority is to ensure that Norwegian ships and shipping companies meet high safety- and environmental standards, to ensure that Norwegian seamen have high qualifications and good working- and living conditions, and to ensure that foreign ships in Norwegian territory and ports meet international rules.

[3] In matters concerning environmental quality, the authority is subordinate to the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment.

In August the same year, Olav Akselsen, a parliament member at the time, was appointed new Director General.

Akselsen did not take up the post until January 2010, and in the meantime Sigurd Gude served as acting director.