About Danish Shipping

Small Country – But One of the Biggest Shipping Nations in the World

With its nearly 11.5 million GT the Danish merchant fleet constitutes 1.2 % of the world fleet and makes it the 17th biggest in the world. In addition, Danish shipping companies own a significant number of ships under foreign flags, thus bringing the Danish owned fleet up to more than 23 million GT or 9th in the world ranking, only exceeded by the biggest industrial countries and the traditional shipping nation, Greece. A further doubling of numbers in terms of Danish shipping’s international importance results from including vessels chartered or otherwise controlled by Danish interests, i.e. operator activity. This brings the figures up to more than 1,500 ships or more than 41 million GT, placing Denmark among the biggest shipping nations in the world. Danish owners and operators transport approx. 10 % of the world’s seaborne trade.

Denmark’s Single Biggest Export Industry

Danish shipping’s foreign currency earnings have shown strong growth in the last decade, culminating in 2008 with 190 billion DKK, whereas the financial crises set the figure back to 140 billion in 2009. With the recent upturn of freight markets it is expected that gross earnings will reach 160 billion DKK in 2010. Thus, shipping maintains its position as the single most important contributor to the Danish balance of payments. Noticeably, foreign currency net earnings will be progressively higher this year than in 2009, not least thanks to rationalisations and efficiency-enhancement programmes carried out by Danish owners in 2009/10.

Source: Danish Shipowners’ Association - further information.

Further information on Danish Shipping and career opportunities within Danish shipping