In a changing world, Danish shipping companies adapt and seize new opportunities. The trade and employers’ organisation Danish Shipping has unveiled a new strategy for the coming five years that seeks to grow the nation’s merchant fleet and to strengthen Denmark as the preferred community for shipping companies.
“Shipping is agile and Danish shipping companies excel in the way they adapt to shifting patterns of trade in global markets and a volatile geopolitical reality. The Danish shipping industry represents a strategic asset and a strength in a turbulent world, where supply security and resilience have risen to the top of the agenda,” said Anne H. Steffensen, CEO of Danish Shipping.
With the new strategy named Charting the Course, Danish Shipping – a trade and employer organisation with nearly 90 members, including shipping and offshore companies – wants to ensure the sustainable transition of shipping, that Danish seafarers’ skills are world-class, and that Danish shipping companies contribute strategically to defence and crisis preparedness.
But the main aim is to strengthen Denmark and the Danish flag as the home base for Danish shipping companies.
The strategy identifies a number of goals and key targets. These include, among others, ensuring that the Danish-flagged merchant fleet grows as much as, or more than, the world fleet, that there are more Danish seafarers in 2030 compared to 2025, that Denmark delivers at least 400 internships annually – with an increase in the number of students enrolled in maritime education each year up to 2030, and that global regulatory schemes are in place that drive the green transition of shipping beyond the EU’s regional measures.
Denmark ranks among the world’s top 10 maritime nations measured by operated tonnage. Danish-flagged merchant vessels account for approximately 12% of NATO countries’ merchant fleet.
Danish shipping companies operate 1,687 vessels, 640 of them under the Danish flag.
18% of Denmark’s total exports in 2024 came from shipping. Danish shipping companies employ 25,500 in Denmark and on Danish vessels – including 18,500 at sea of which 7,000 are Danish.
About 50% of Danish ships on order can run on alternative fuels.
The industry body Danish Shipping outlines several key initiatives to secure a competitive and ongoing favourable framework for Danish shipping companies.
These include among others: To prevent distortionary taxation from the EU, UN or individual countries (e.g. double taxation).
To support the industry in areas such as flagging, sanctions guidance and international negotiations.
To conclude Danish and international collective bargaining agreements that balance competitiveness with attractive working conditions.
To strengthen dialogue with the ministry of foreign affairs and the European Commission on geopolitics, trade policy and sanctions; to provide Danish shipping companies with up-to-date analyses and knowledge to identify opportunities and avoid obstacles.
To develop partnerships and frameworks that enable the merchant fleet to contribute to national preparedness, defence and resilience when required.
To ensure a safe and sustainable fuel transition by addressing environmental risks and protecting crew safety.
To influence regulation to increase investment in alternative fuels and the energy transition of shipping, e.g. by advocating for national and European reinvestment of ETS revenues.
To target World Careers campaign to raise awareness among students facing education choices.
As Steffensen explains, Danish Shipping is committed to working for competitive national and international framework conditions. And to drive a competitive and sustainable transition for international shipping, including upscaling the production of alternative fuels and new technologies.
“We need world-class maritime competences to achieve this,” she says.
