Danish Registry's Tonnage Rise Despite Challenges

2015 was another busy year for the Danish Maritime Authority in which many results were achieved – covering a wide span from growth to safety. This is evident from the annual report of the Danish Maritime Authority, which has just been published.

Despite difficult market conditions for the industry, the gross tonnage registered in the Danish registers of shipping increased, just as 2015 was a good year in terms of safety on board Danish ships.

"In many respects, 2015 was a challenging year for the Danish Maritime Authority, but we succeeded in achieving some good professional results", says Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority Andreas Nordseth.

Important 2015 milestones

The annual report presents a number of important milestones that were achieved by the Danish Maritime Authority in 2015:
  * Re-election for the Council of United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2016-2017 biennium.
  * The stationing of maritime growth advisers in China and Ghana, respectively.
  * The holding of Danish Maritime Days and the Danish Maritime Forum.
  * A scrutiny of the growth potential of the offshore sector.
  * The responsibility for the future act on maritime spatial planning, which is intended to promote economic growth and the development of marine areas.
  * A low number of detentions of Danish ships in foreign ports.
  * Flag State inspections in China.
  * A decrease in the occurrence of serious occupational accidents.
  * The drafting of an action plan for the work on the new sulphur regulations.
  * The implementation of new orders on, inter alia, navigational zones, coordinated voyages, risk assessments and pilotage of large passenger ships in the waters around Greenland.
  * A reduction of the time spent considering requests for being admitted to the Register of Shipping as well as the time spent issuing certificates of competency and certificates of recognition.

Economically, the financial year closed with a minor surplus of DKK 0.1 million. The overall score of the Danish Maritime Authority on the 2015 performance contract was 93.75 of 100, which is considered a good result.

Internally, the latter part of 2015 was characterised by the decision to move the main office of the Danish Maritime Authority to the town of Korsoer in the western part of Zealand. In 2016, focus will be on planning an efficient removal while retaining critical competences and maintaining safe operation.