Danish Shipowners' Association publishes several statistics and key figures about the Danish shipping industry. Among other things the publication Danish Shipping Statistics appears twice a year and can be seen on the right side of this page. Furthermore, some key figures can be found in the left column.
To download Danish shipping statistics, November 2011, please follow this link.
 

• Uninterrupted growth in the Danish merchant fleet since 1998
• Denmark is the 7^th biggest shipping nation in the world
• Danish shipping’s foreign currency earnings went up by 20% in 2010
• Contracting activity is back

The Danish Merchant Fleet continues its growth

In the last edition we wrote that the financial crises had let go of its grip on shipping in general. At the present time we must unfortunately state that the crises is hard to overcome, as the strained American economy as well as the problems in Southern Europe now present new challenges to the world economy and consequently, world trade. Freight rates have been under renewed pressure. Nevertheless, we can report that the Danish merchant fleet has not only stood its ground but even managed a slight growth. That means the tonnage under Danish flag has risen uninterruptedly since 1998. Since May there has been a net growth of eight ships or 65,000 GT. Since the onset of the crises at the end of 2008 the fleet has increased by 64 ships or 1,800,000 GT. The major part of the growth, 1,200,000 GT, is in the tanker segment, while container ships account for 700,000 GT. There has been a slight decline in the dry cargo fleet.

Denmark – One of the Biggest Shipping Nations in the World

With its more than 11.8 million GT the Danish merchant fleet constitutes 1.2 % of the world fleet, which makes it the 18th 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 25 million GT (excluding specialized vessels) or 8th 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 1,600 ships or 46 million GT, making Denmark the 7th biggest shipping nation in the world. Danish owners and operators transport approximately 10 % of the world’s seaborne trade.

Danish Owners are Contracting for Newbuildings again

The order book primarily dates back before 2009, and there has been a steady decrease in the number of ships on order as existing orders were completed and delivered, but in the course of 2011 a considerable amount of tonnage has been ordered, more specifically 36 ships of 4 million GT, representing a value of 37 billion DKK. As of October 1, 2011, Danish owners’ order book amounts to 179 ships of 8.2 million GT or 10.1 million DWT. That makes Danish owners’ order book the 13th biggest in the world. The orders placed during 2011 are primarily for container- and multipurpose vessel, while several ferries for domestic and short sea routes were ordered in 2010, of which three are being built on Danish shipyards.

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. An improvement was expected in 2010 but the final figure of 175 billion exceeded the expectations. Thus, shipping maintains its position as the single most important contributor to the Danish balance of payments. Noticeably, foreign currency net earnings were progressively higher in 2010 than in 2009, not least thanks to rationalisations and efficiency-enhancement programmes carried out by Danish owners in 2009/10. In spite of the recent setback in markets it is expected that that the gross currency earning of 175 billion DKK will be repeated in 2011. With their constant focus on optimization of fuel efficiency and measures benefitting the environment in general - at a time when environmental responsibility and sustainability is in high demand among international companies - Danish owners stand well-equipped to meet future’s challenges – expecting free market conditions to prevail on the global scene and the positive domestic framework for the shipping industry to continue.

For further information please contact:

Head of Division, Jacob K. Clasen
Phone: +45 33 48 92 14
e-mail: jfh@shipowners.dk

Vice President, Jan Fritz Hansen
phone: +45 33 48 92 11
e-mail:jfh@shipowners.dk