Denmark Aims to Be Ahead of the Curve

Trade and employer organisation Danish Shipping has presented a new strategy to focus on competencies, digitization and technological development as catalysts for continued growth in the coming years.

Danish Shipping’s “Ahead of the Curve” strategy for 2018-2021, launched on December 7, is based on an ambition to grow the Danish-flagged fleet with more than 10 percent measured in tonnage, and minimum 10 percent measured in the number of ships, during the strategy period.

Furthermore, it is the ambition to increase onshore employment to 7000 employees, while maintaining at least a constant number of Danish seafarers.

“Danish shipping companies must continue to create value for customers, partners and locally, while also acting as responsible industry leaders. This requires framework conditions that are best in class and an approach where we as an organisation actively influence the development of the shipping industry, thus paving the way for global shipping to grow with a minimal footprint on our surroundings,” Claus V. Hemmingsen, Chairman of Danish Shipping, said.

The strategy identifies five strategic objectives for Danish Shipping for the coming four years.

In addition to a further development of already competitive framework conditions, it is the objective to support the IMO as an effective governing body that delivers timely responses to global issues such as the regulation of the shipping industry’s impact on the climate and the environment.

Other objectives are a greater focus on competencies and new technology and maritime innovation, which has the potential to change the shipping industry.

“Education, digitization and maritime innovation and research will take up even more of our agenda in the coming years,” Hemmingsen said, adding that the country needs to further develop its maritime competencies.

As a consequence of the strategy, Danish Shipping’s organisation was reshuffled in November. With a new organisation and a larger management team, more organisational resources have been devoted to delivering on the objectives that are prioritized with the new strategy.