Danish Flag Sets Tonnage Record

Danish shipping companies have strengthened the merchant fleet under the Danish flag, setting a new record in dead weight tons. In January 2014 the gross tonnage was 12.3 million gross tons, whilst in April 2015 it was 14.6 million gross tons or 16.6 million dead weight tons.

"The gross tonnage is no guarantee of greater earnings and more Danish jobs in the shipping companies, but it is a good basis for influence and development opportunities, and it means Denmark is still one of the world’s biggest flag states. It means something when we want the rest of the world to follow Denmark’s high standards, and it means something in these times of electioneering when we are talking to Danish politicians about the importance of shipping to the Danish economy and growth," says Anne H. Steffensen, Director-General of the Danish Shipowners’ Association.

The total Danish-controlled fleet comprises about 1,800 ships, of which just over a third, 658 ships, are under the Danish flag. In 2014 the Danish shipping companies set a record for the third time, contributing DKK 204.5 billion ($30 million) to the balance of payments. Shipping thus constitutes approximately 20 percent of total Danish exports. Over a third of exports go to growth markets outside the E.U.

"It’s particularly good news considering the difficult market conditions the shipping companies have encountered in recent years," says Anne H. Steffensen, Director-General of the Danish Shipowners’ Association.

The figures for Danish shipping were published in conjunction with the annual general meeting of the Danish Shipowners’ Association on May 28, 2015. The figures also show that shipping companies and the maritime sector provide employment for 107,886 people.