Livilig kor challenges municipal oversight of ship noise

The Livilig kor association says municipalities should not oversee their own noise regulations, KVF reported. The criticism follows Tvøroyri Municipality’s statement that the cargo ship Silver Star did not exceed permitted noise levels while at Tvøroyri.

Livilig kor says municipalities set the noise limits themselves and argues that the thresholds should be lowered in line with those in neighbouring countries. The association also says ports should receive environmental approval.

Earlier this year, Livilig kor said it was told by the municipality that complaints about noise from ships could not be filed with the municipality if the ships were not moored at a quay owned by Tvøroyri Municipality. If a ship was moored at a quay owned by Varðin Pelagic, the association was told to complain to Varðin Pelagic instead.

However, the Environment Agency informed Tvøroyri Municipality and Livilig kor that the municipality is the supervisory authority regardless of who owns the quay.