COPENHEGEN: Denmark has placed digitalisation and being a knowledge hub at the heart of plan to grow its shipping sector to be a global maritime hub by 2025. The Danish Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs said that the plan aimed for Denmark to be a frontrunner in developing autonomous maritime technologies and maritime digitalization. The plan for growth has been developed by the government based on recommendations of the Maritime Strategy Team. With the Plan for Growth in the Danish Maritime Sector, the Government has set the course for Denmark to become a global maritime power hub by 2025. Now, all forces in the Danish maritime sector must join forces, roll up their sleeves and get to work to make the vision behind the plan for growth into reality,” said Minister for Industry, Business and Growth Brian Mikkelsen. While the maritime sector was recognised as one of the country’s most important export sectors and a major provider of employment it was also a market undergoing rapid change with consumer behavior and digital and technological devlopments. The plan contains 36 initiatives that fall in four thematic areas – a digitalisation hub, attractive framework conditions, a hub for knowledge, and a hub with global visions and attractions.
On the digitisation front it was seen that Denmark should become a leading laboratory for testing new maritime technologies, digital systems, types of production and operation as well as the generation of energy. In terms of being a knowledge hub there was a focus on education and training and ensuring people had the right competencies to meet the future needs of the sector. It is important that more young people see the opportunities of a future in the maritime businesses. Education of high quality and skilled young people is essential for the maritime sector to be an important part of the future growth of Denmark”, said Søren Pind, Minister of Education and Research. In terms of Denmark’s attractiveness as a maritime centre the removal of registration fees for the Danish International Register of Shipping (DIS) was already seen as having an effect.
