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Danish Shipping |
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The Danish merchant fleet is recording steady progress. Business in the shipping industry is on the upswing. Key figures for the Danish fleet, such as tonnage, turnover and employment, are all continuing a positive trend. Due to an ongoing substantial newbuilding programme corresponding to some 75 per cent of the current size of the fleet, the average age of the Danish merchant fleet is now seven years, compared to a world average of about 13 years.
The 500 ships registered under Danish flag, with a total deadweight tonnage of 9 million tonnes, constitute one of the most modern and technically sophisticated fleets in the world. Shipping has become Denmark's second most important export earner, with an aggregate turnover of more than 100 billion DKK. This revenue derives mainly from international cross-trade operations between foreign ports. Danish shipping is truly international, and only 5 per cent of the tonnage is employed in national and neighbouring countries' waters. In fact, 75 per cent of the activities do not even include calls at European ports. Danish shipping acts as an international service provider, the principal markets being the established financial heavyweights, North America, the Far East and Europe. Danish shipping services are, however, also achieving increasing significance, particularly on the rapidly developing markets of China, South America and the African Continent.
The services offered to customers worldwide encompass almost every aspect of maritime activities. The main areas of operation consist of full door-to-door container services, ro-ro and passenger operations, specialized product carrier services, salvage and offshore supply services, as well as traditional bulk, tanker trade, general cargo and reefer activities. In addition to the tonnage under national flag, Danish shipowners operate an equivalent tonnage chartered from foreign flag states in order to optimize their services and meet customer demand. It is estimated that together with their overseas affiliates, Danish owners operate a fleet of 50 million tonnes deadweight. Danish owners are also engaged in other maritime-related activities, such as shipbuilding, offshore drilling and production, warehousing, storage, trucking, rail transport, inland distribution logistics and buying and selling ships.
To maintain high, efficient safety standards, it is vital to employ well-qualified seafarers and personnel to operate the technologically advanced fleet as well as to staff the wide range of associated maritime-related activities. Danish owners employ more than 20,000 nationals and some 3,000 foreigners in the shipping industry alone. The inclusion of associated and maritime-related activities bring the estimated figure up to a total of 70,000 employees. Although Danish nautical schools provide excellent training facilities and the industry offers outstanding carrier opportunities, Danish owners are like many of their competitors experiencing problems recruiting a sufficiently large number of seafarers. Continuous efforts to redress this imbalance are, however, being made. As a shipping nation, Denmark has long-standing maritime traditions, and the Danish government and maritime authorities generally support the creation of a positive political framework for ships to operate under the national flag. Maintaining the competitive edge of Danish shipping operations without direct subsidies and upholding the commitment to the principle of freedom of the seas with free market access are focal points of Denmark's national and international shipping policy.
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