Danish Parliament Includes Offshore Shipping in International Register

The Danish Parliament has approved new regulation following extension of the rules on tax free net wages for seafarers to also include certain specialized vessels.

According to Danish Maritime Authority, the Danish parliament adopted an extension of the seafarer tax scheme last spring, making it apply to the crew on certain specialized vessels in the offshore sector.

"Todays’ new act allows for ship owners and Danish trade unions to enter into agreements that cover all seafarers on vessels primarily engaged in offshore activities in Danish waters regardless of the seafarer’s place of residence," it said.

The Danish government recently enacted a new bill to amend the rules on ship registration, under which shipowners from third countries are no longer required to satisfy the establishment criterion by primary or secondary establishment.

The bill entered into force on 1 January 2018 and aims to increase transparency for shipowners seeking to enter ships into the Danish Ship Register.

Ships registered in the Danish International Register of Shipping have access to special economic framework conditions, including a competitive tonnage taxation scheme and tax exemptions for seafarers.

Ships can be admitted to the Danish International Register of Shipping if they are engaged in international trade and have a gross tonnage of or above 20.