History 

History of The Danish Maritime Authority

The Danish Maritime Authority was founded in 1988 by merging the six Danish shipping authorities that existed at that time. In its present form, the Danish Maritime Authority represents only a small part of the history of Danish Shipping administration, which took its beginning in 1567, when King Frederik II introduced the term "maritime law" for the first time.

In 1683, King Christian V introduced into his Danish Law a new regulation that governed the employment and pay of seafarers.

In 1832, the Danish authorities started surveying the "devices" on board ships. About 90 years later – in 1920 – the official "Danish Government Ships Inspection" was founded.

The proper training of seafarers has always been essential to maintain a qualified and efficient fleet. Therefore, the first Danish Navigation School was founded as early as in 1647, and the first legislation regarding Schools of Marine Engineering was drafted in 1847.

Today

Today, the Danish merchant fleet consists of approximately 550 larger commercial ships engaged on international voyages, 4,000 fishing vessels, and 7,500 other vessels.

Being a nation surrounded by water, Denmark can also add to its collected fleet approximately 50,000 pleasure crafts.