Working Together to Unleash the Potential of the Maritime Industry

During the Danish Maritime Days more than 50 events will be held in all parts of Denmark creating a platform for maritime stakeholders from across the world to meet and discuss the challenges and opportunities of the maritime industry. Denmark is a core maritime nation in Europe, and Danish shipping companies are active in all parts of the world. Danish manufacturers and shipping companies are among the frontrunners in developing green maritime solutions to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution from ships. Thus, the maritime sector is one of Denmark’s commercial strengths and a key area of growth. Denmark is also an active part of the global maritime community, where we work actively in the IMO and other international fora in order to create global regulation that can set the direction for future quality shipping. Shipping is the backbone of the global economy. Every year more than 55,000 commercial vessels transport more than 9 billion tons of cargo - that is around 1.5 tons for every human on the planet. In fact, around 90 pct. of all exports are transported by ship. Access to maritime transport is thus a fundamental element in securing growth, jobs and improvements in human wellbeing all around the world. If we are to unleash the full potential of the global maritime industry there are however a number of challenges that must be faced. And these challenges can only be faced if we work together across regions, and collaborate across the public-private spectrum. This is the reason why the Danish government and the Danish maritime industry are organising the Danish Maritime Days. Among the key challenges that will be discussed during the Danish Maritime Days is how to ensure that the increase in global trade and thus the demand for maritime transport services can be met in a way that is fully sustainable, i.e. in terms of economic, environmental and social impacts. This will be the overarching theme of the Danish Maritime Forum that gathers around 200 key leaders from the maritime industry including government ministers from Europe, Asia and Africa as well as leading CEOs and experts from the global maritime sector. There are also a number of events that will into detail with some of the key challenges facing the maritime industry. This includes events focusing on the role of the seafarer as part of global quality shipping. This is a highly relevant theme as the access to the right number of people with the right skills and competences both at sea and on shore is fundamental for the future of the maritime industry. It also includes events looking into the possibilities of improving the environmental performance of shipping. This can be done both through technological innovation as well as through smart global regulation that will create room for shipowners and technology providers to develop and deploy promising new technologies in practice. Other events deal with themes such as the future of global trade, maritime security including the threats from piracy, the future of ports and much, much more. Danish Maritime Days also offers the possibility to get to know the products and companies of the Danish Maritime Cluster in real life. At the Danish Maritime Fair, more than 150 Danish and international exhibitors from all lines of the maritime sector will present their advanced products, knowledge, and competencies and hopefully forge new business deals and partnerships. The Fair presents a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the diversity of Blue Denmark as well as some of our international trading partners all gathered in one place. The program for the Danish Maritime Days is ambitious, which is a good reflection of the high ambitions that characterize all stakeholders involved in Blue Denmark. Our goal is to inspire concrete actions to ensure growth in the global maritime sector. By working together we can unleash the full potential of the industry, and in the process hopefully show that Blue Denmark is committed to play its part at the core of the European and global maritime industries.