Danish Maritime Authority

What Danish Maritime Authority does

Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) is the national regulatory agency responsible for maritime affairs in Denmark, operating under the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Korsør, DMA holds statutory authority over ship registration, seafarer certification, maritime safety oversight, and environmental regulation within Danish jurisdiction and for Danish-flagged vessels. Its primary constituents are ship owners and operators, commercial seafarers, fishermen, and recreational sailors, each of whom interacts with DMA through distinct service channels.

DMA's core service portfolio combines traditional regulatory functions with a portfolio of digital platforms: a Self-Service Portal for administrative transactions, the Digital Ship Register for vessel registration, a Verification Service for certificate and document authentication, the My Maritime App for professional seafarers, and the SejlSikkert App for recreational sailors. These systems collectively replace paper-based workflows and form the digital backbone through which DMA interfaces with the Danish maritime community. The agency also operates the DMA Regulatory Future Lab, an initiative to test new regulatory approaches.

DMA is funded through a multi-year performance contract with the parent ministry and supplemented by fees for registration, certification, and inspection services. The agency is ISO 9001:2015 certified and successfully passed the 2021 IMO audit, validating its implementation of international maritime conventions. DMA co-leads the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission with the United States, Norway, the Global Maritime Forum, and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center, signaling an expanded role in shaping international maritime decarbonization standards. Leadership is headed by Director General Brian Adrian Wessel, supported by Deputy Director Generals Rikke Wetter Olufsen and Tejs Binderup.

Name

Danish Maritime Authority

Legal name

Danish Maritime Authority

Website

https://dma.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Danish Maritime Authority is Denmark's national maritime regulatory agency under the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, responsible for ship registration, seafarer certification, maritime safety oversight, and environmental regulation, serving ship owners, operators, seafarers, fishermen, and recreational sailors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Regulatory Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation Regulators (Aviation, Maritime, Rail, Road) (BPAIAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Surveying, Inspection & Claims (EDAOANAO), Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE), Marine Systems Commissioning, Testing & Certification Support (TLAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Maritime regulatory services
• Ship registration
• Seafarer certification
• Maritime safety oversight
• Port state control

Headquarters

HQ city

Valby

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Survey and certification fees: Government fees for mandatory surveys, certifications, and case consideration for ships registered under Danish flag
2. Certificate issuance fees: Fees for issuing various certificates including Bunkers certificate, CLC certificate, AFS certificate, wreck removal certificate, and recognition certificates
3. Pilotage-related fees: Fees for aptitude tests, certificates, and annual reviews for pilots and pilotage service providers
4. Public funding: Core operations funded through the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs performance contract

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Danish Maritime Authority is Denmark's national maritime regulatory agency, providing ship registration, survey and certification of Danish-flagged vessels, issuance of seafarer certificates and discharge books, pilotage services, and oversight of maritime safety, navigation and environmental protection in Danish waters. It delivers these services through digital self-service platforms, mobile applications, and dedicated training facilities, charging regulated fees for surveys, certificates and pilotage.

Product overview

The Danish Maritime Authority operates as Denmark's maritime regulatory agency, providing a portfolio of digital services rather than a unified commercial product. The core offerings include a Self-Service Portal consolidating services for seafarers, shipowners, and education; a Digital Ship Register for online vessel registration; a Verification Service for authenticating certificates; mobile applications (My Maritime for seafarers and SejlSikkert/SailSafe for recreational sailors); and the Centre for Maritime Health Services providing medical training on Fanø. These services function as interconnected government service platforms rather than a traditional product suite.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SejlSikkert: App and safety campaign for recreational sailing safety in Danish waters
• My Maritime
• DMA Regulatory Future Lab
• Zero-Emission Shipping Mission
• Centre for Maritime Health Service (CMS Fanø)

Products and services

• Self-Service Portal Consolidated online platform that brings together services for seafarers, manning, shipowners, education and ship registration in one accessible location, operated by the Danish Maritime Authority.
• Digital Ship Register Digital platform enabling online ship registration, management of rights, and registration of Danish and Greenlandic ships and vessels, including the Danish International Ship Register (DIS) and the Danish ordinary ship register.
• Verification Service Online service allowing verification of ship certificates and STCW certificates for seafarers, enabling third parties to authenticate documentary proof of certification.
• My Maritime App Mobile application for seafarers providing easy access to maritime services, certificates, and self-service features on-the-go via the Danish Maritime Authority.
• SejlSikkert / SailSafe App Mobile applications for recreational sailing safety, featuring location data tracking and SejlSikkert Alarm emergency alarm capabilities for sailors navigating Danish waters.
• Centre for Maritime Health Services (CMS Fanø) Training facility on the island of Fanø providing medical care courses at sea for seafarers, with emphasis on practical hands-on exercises and use of medical equipment, operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Danish Maritime Authority.

Quantifiable outcome

• Denmark passed IMO audit for compliance with international maritime safety and environmental conventions
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• SingaporemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner country in the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission, contributing to global efforts for decarbonizing shipping.
• United KingdommajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner country in the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission working toward 5% of global fleet capable of sailing on zero-emission fuels by 2030.
• IndiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner country in the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission contributing to international shipping decarbonization efforts.
• MoroccominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner country in the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission.
• GhanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner country in the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission. DMA also has a separate Sector Cooperation agreement with Ghana.
• FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner country in the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission contributing to maritime decarbonization.
• South KoreamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner country in the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission with focus on technology and fuel development.
• United StatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-lead of the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission, an international public-private partnership aiming to introduce commercially viable zero-emission vessels by 2030 and scale up zero-emission fuel production.
• NorwaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-lead of the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission focused on decarbonizing international shipping through alternative fuels and port infrastructure.
• Global Maritime ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-lead of the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission, bringing together industry stakeholders to accelerate innovation in zero-emission shipping.
• Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon ShippingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-lead of the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission, contributing expertise in zero-carbon shipping solutions and technology development.
• Danish ShippingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner represented in Danish Ships Inspection Council, Danish Maritime Law Committee, and Danish Shipping Board. Collaboration on maritime policy, legislation, and working conditions.
• JOB2SEA ApS and JOB2SEA CREWING ApSminorOthersCertified private recruitment and placement service for seafarers in Denmark. Certificate no. 2024156329.
• OSM Crew Management Denmark ApSminorOthersCertified private recruitment and placement service for seafarers. Certificate valid from 2021-01.
• Diana Corell YachtsminorOthersCertified private recruitment and placement service for yacht crew. Certificate no. 2024-01.
• Maraship Crewing ApSminorOthersCertified private recruitment and placement service for seafarers. Certificate no. 2024135215.
• Metal MaritimecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkers' organization represented in Danish Maritime Law Committee for maritime legislation and policy development.
• 3F (United Federation of Denmark)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkers' federation represented in Danish Maritime Law Committee, contributing to maritime labor policy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Norwegian Maritime Authority: Norway's national maritime regulatory agency, responsible for ship registration, survey, certification, and seafarer licensing for Norwegian-flagged vessels. Direct peer in regulatory scope and Nordic-region maritime governance, and a co-lead alongside DMA on the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission.
• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency: UK executive agency delivering maritime safety, ship registration (through the UK Ship Register), seafarer certification, and pollution prevention. Direct peer as a major European flag-state regulator and Zero-Emission Shipping Mission partner.
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA): Australian federal agency responsible for maritime safety, vessel registration, seafarer certification, and marine environmental protection. Direct peer in flag-state regulatory functions, including digital services for shipowners and seafarers.
• Swedish Transport Agency (Maritime Department): Swedish Transport Agency handles maritime safety, ship registration, and seafarer certification as part of its transport oversight remit. Direct peer in Nordic maritime regulation with comparable scope in ship survey, certification, and seafarer licensing.

Others

• Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore: Classification society providing ship classification, certification, and marine survey services to shipowners. Adjacent enabler in marine surveying and certification that operates under DMA's regulatory oversight on Danish-flagged vessels.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO): United Nations specialized agency setting global maritime safety, security, and environmental standards that DMA implements at the flag-state level. Ecosystem counterpart that audits and benchmarks DMA's regulatory performance.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Coast Guard (Marine Safety): U.S. federal agency enforcing maritime safety, vessel inspection, certification, and merchant mariner licensing. Broader incumbent combining military, law enforcement, and regulatory functions; a Zero-Emission Shipping Mission co-lead alongside DMA.
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA): Singapore's national maritime and port authority overseeing vessel registration, port operations, and seafarer certification in one of the world's busiest ports. Broader incumbent in scope (port operations plus regulation) but a Zero-Emission Shipping Mission partner with comparable digital service ambitions.
• Transport Canada - Marine Safety: Canadian federal regulator with marine safety, ship inspection, and seafarer certification responsibilities embedded in a broader multi-modal transport agency. Comparable scope in survey/certification functions, with a wider mandate across aviation and rail.

Regional players

• German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration: German federal authority managing federal waterways, maritime shipping traffic, and shipping safety oversight. Regional peer with overlapping scope in navigation safety and shipping regulation, though focused on inland and coastal waterways management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DMA_SFS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/danish-maritime-authority

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Danish Maritime Authority