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Denmark aims to improve its position as a »global maritime powerhub« by securing better framework conditions the maritime industry. After almost a year’s work the task force of the Danish Government presents its policy recommendations.

The guiding vision of the maritime task forc[ds_preview]e is to strengthen Denmark as a global maritime hub by securing even better framework conditions for ship owners and other maritime industry working out of Denmark. Accordingly, the task force today presented a series of concrete proposals that touch upon all areas of the competitive framework for the maritime industry in Denmark.

The Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Brian Mikkelsen, welcomes the proposals. They will form a strong foundation for considerations regarding future growth in the maritime sector in order to attract maritime businesses and ship owners to Denmark, he says.

Concrete recommendations

The recommendations touch upon topics such as digitalisation, autonomous shipping and green energy whose development should be supported by a partnership of authorities, industry, research and educational institutions.

To strengthen Denmark as a global maritime location and attract international business, recommendations are made regarding taxes, flag rules, financing arrangements and ease of doing business.

The task force has also put a focus on Danish maritime technology to see how innovation could be fueled, e.g. by improved tendering procedures for governmental projects.

Industry and the educational sector are recommended to cooperate to ensure a critical mass of maritime know-how in Denmark.

»The recommendations from the Maritime Strategy Team is a great starting point for our work with a new maritime growth plan – a plan that will help to maintain and develop the international competitiveness of maritime industry. This is important for the creation of jobs and economic growth in Denmark,« says Mikkelsen.

The task force has been chaired by Jesper Lok, Chairman of the shipping companies, Esvagt and J. Lauritzen. Other members count CEOs from the shipping community, scientists, CEOs of maritime businesses and union representatives. The broad representation has led to a good result according to the chairman.

Director General of the Danish Shipowners’ Association, Anne H. Steffensen, sees the policy recommendations as an ambitious starting point. It sets a high standard for the forthcoming political negotiations on the Government’s maritime actions, which are expected to be presented in the fall.

(A list of concrete recommendations can be accessed here.)