The United States and Denmark have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on maritime cooperation, seeking to strengthen American shipbuilding capacity, attract Danish investments to U.S. shipyards and create jobs in the maritime sector.

The US state department said the partnership is meant to help train the American shipbuilding workforce faster and give American shipbuilders advanced technology to build and repair vessels more quickly and at a lower cost.

US under secretary of state for economic affairs Jacob Helberg and Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen signed the agreement on October 22.

Danish companies could gain new business opportunities in American shipbuilding and equipment, technology and services.

The agreement aims to support U.S. efforts to strengthen its maritime workforce by drawing on Danish expertise.

It will also support the expansion and modernization of U.S. shipbuilding, repair and retrofit capacity through the supply of advanced Danish maritime equipment, technologies and specialized services, including by exploring local partnerships and joint ventures.

The initiative is expected to strengthen maritime defense industrial cooperation between US and Denmark, including through the supply of maritime capabilities, technologies, and solutions with defense and dual-use applications.

Under the agreement, the two countries aim to exchange knowledge and best practices on maritime policy and regulatory frameworks, involving relevant authorities, industry associations and other stakeholders. 

The US state department said the result would be more well-paid blue-collar jobs in American communities and a stronger U.S. maritime industrial base.

It said the memorandum “will help create American jobs, strengthen U.S. security,” and serve as a first step toward a broader U.S.-Denmark maritime partnership.

The department framed the agreement as part of an effort by the United States to rebuild its maritime strength with trusted allies.

It cited President Donald Trump’s executive order on restoring America’s maritime dominance and the maritime action plan.

Under those measures, the department said, Washington is expanding shipbuilding capacity, growing a skilled workforce and securing its supply chains.

In a post on X, Helberg said the agreement would help American shipyards secure skilled workers, investment and technology to speed up shipbuilding and repairs while reducing costs.

“American shipyards need skilled hands, capital, and speed. Today, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke and I signed a U.S.-Denmark maritime cooperation MOU to deliver all three: faster training, Danish investment, and quicker, cheaper builds and repairs. More jobs for American workers, resilient supply chains, and a stronger U.S. maritime industrial base. Under President Donald J. Trump, America is building ships again,” he wrote.

Today, less than 1% of the world’s new merchant vessels are built in US, while approximately 55% are built in China, about 28% in South Korea, and around 13% in Japan.