German authorities have decided to drop the requirement for Danish ships to undergo an additional inspection when calling at German ports. The decision has been welcomed by the industry, as Danish ships are already inspected and approved by Danish authorities. This change saves both time and resources for the affected shipping companies.
The SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea) regulates maritime safety and requires certification for ships over 500 gross tonnage. Smaller Danish ships calling at German ports or operating in Germany are exempt from this certification requirement. These are the vessels that were previously subject to the additional inspection, which has now been abolished.
A Victory for Danish Shipping Companies
“When we planned assignments in Germany, we typically had to allow an additional 2-3 days for the inspection to be completed. It has been a competitive disadvantage when the rules were not the same for everyone. Now it will be much easier to submit bids and compete for assignments in Germany,” says Stefan Andreasen, CEO of DBB Dredging, a company specializing in harbor expansion and maintenance.
The Danish Shipping Association has long worked to abolish this requirement, which was considered unfair and unnecessary. The inspections by German authorities not only resulted in direct costs but also caused operational downtime for ships, impacting their ability to complete work and fulfill contracts.
Sensible and Necessary
“This change makes it easier and more accessible to work in Germany. It provides better opportunities for us in the German market, which is how it should be within the EU. The national exception has never made sense,” says Niels Henriksen, CEO of NH Towage.
Nina Porst, Director of Climate, Environment, and Safety at the Danish Shipping Association, calls the change a victory for common sense:
“The requirement has never contributed to safety, as Danish ships are already in good condition. At the same time, it has imposed significant costs and unnecessary challenges.”
