When the Danish flag flies at the stern of a ship, it signals high quality and adherence to international regulations regarding safety, environment, and the safety and working conditions of seafarers on board. This is continuously documented in international reports in the field.

This is also the case in the latest whitelist from Paris MoU, which shows how ships from different flag states perform under port state controls in the ports of Paris MoU member countries. Here, Denmark has been ranked number one on the list for the fourth year in a row.

“It is very positive that Denmark once again this year ranks at the top of international assessments of flag states’ performance. However, there are still detentions that should have been avoided. So, it is important that we do not rest on our laurels but continue to ensure that ships consistently meet international standards for safety, health, and the environment, as well as proper working conditions for seafarers,” says Martin John, Head of Inspection at the Danish Maritime Authority.

The port state control regime Paris MoU conducts more than 17,000 inspections annually of foreign ships docking in one of the 28 member countries in Europe and North America.

“Denmark is a small country but a maritime superpower. This is partly because Danish shipping is characterized by high quality and compliance with international regulations. It is a clear competitive advantage when customers know they can rely on Danish-flagged ships to deliver high quality. But it is also clear that this excellent ranking is not an invitation to rest on our laurels. It requires constant focus, and ultimately it is the safety on board that matters,” says Anne H. Steffensen, CEO of Danish Shipping.