Apply for a certificate

Below, you will find the legislation, guidelines and application forms for, for example, anti-fouling certificates, bunker certificates, MLC certificates and other types of certificates.

Ships with a gross tonnage of or above 400 must be surveyed and be in possession of an International Anti-fouling Certificate (AFS certificate).

The Danish Maritime Authority issues the certificate to ships that are not surveyed by a classification society.

Guideline to application for anti-fouling certificate 

Ships’ anti-fouling systems

Anti-fouling systems are coatings, paints, surface treatments or measures applied to ships in order to control or prevent unwanted mechanisms sticking to the hull, such as alga or barnacles.

The prohibition against the presence of TBT (tributyltin) paints on ships' hulls applies irrespective of the size of the ship (or the recreational craft) and irrespective of its type. “Application” refers to the application, changing or replacement of an anti-fouling system. These provisions also apply to ships flying other EU member States’ flags, as well as ships calling at EU ports.

From 1 January 2008, organic tin compounds acting as biocides are strictly prohibited in ships’ anti-fouling systems. This means that all ships registered in the EU or calling at EU ports must – irrespective of their size or trading area – have these anti-fouling systems removed. An alternative could be to cover them in a sealing coating preventing the organic tin compounds from being washed off.

At present, organic tin compounds acting as biocides are only found in anti-fouling systems that are strictly prohibited in the EU. Anti-fouling systems also contain other substances that act as biocides, but there is no prohibition against them in the EU at the moment. Other substances may be prohibited in the future as a consequence of the biocide directive (directive 98/8/EC).

Inspection, certification and declarations

The provisions on anti-fouling systems do not distinguish between recreational craft and ships used for commercial purposes as regards inspection, certification and declarations on anti-fouling systems. The provisions are related to the ship’s length or its length and gross tonnage. As regards the contents of the paints and the release of antifouling biocides, special regulations do however apply to recreational craft in Denmark (order no. 1215 of 10 December 2008).

Ships with a gross tonnage of or above 400

From 1 July 2003, ships with a gross tonnage of or above 400 must be surveyed and be in posses\u0002sion of an International Anti-Fouling Systems (AFS) Certificate. Surveys are performed by and cer\u0002tificates are issued by the Danish Maritime Authority to ships that are not in class and, as regards ships that are in class, by recognised organisations with which the Danish Maritime Authority has
concluded formal agreements. A request for a survey must contain the information about the ship stipulated in MEPC.102(48). The validity of the AFS Certificate expires if the anti-fouling system is changed or replaced by another system and at the ship’s transfer to another flag or another State.

Ships with a length of or above 24 metres, but a gross tonnage below 400

From 1 July 2003, ships with a length of or above 24 metres, but with a gross tonnage below 400, must hold a declaration on anti-fouling systems for ships with a length of or above 24 metres, but a gross tonnage below 400 as evidence that the ship meets the requirements for the application of organic tin compounds acting as biocides. The declaration is to be filled in by the ship owner. The
declaration must be accompanied by any relevant documentation, such as a confirmation of receipt of paint or coating or the supplier’s invoice.

Ships below 24 metres

Ships below 24 metres, i.e. primarily recreational craft and fishing vessels, are not required to be inspected and certified. Theses must, however, apply coatings or anti-fouling systems that have been approved in accordance with current legislation (EU Council directive 76/69/EEC that will be replaced by the biocide directive, directive 98/8/EC).

Exemptions

Warships, naval auxiliaries and other ships owned or operated by the a State are exempted from the current regulations on anti-fouling systems. Fixed or floating platforms, floating storage units (FSUs) and floating production storage and offloading units (FPSOs) built prior to 1 July 2003 which have not been dry-docked since this date are also exempted.

Transfer of ships to the Danish flag

Ships transferred to Denmark from a register of shipping in a non-EU country can keep prohibited anti-fouling systems (i.e. systems containing organic tin compounds) that have been applied before 1 July 2003 until the first dry-docking after which an approved anti-fouling system must be used. If the ship applies a prohibited anti-fouling system after 1 July 2003, it must be removed or sealed in before the ship can fly the Danish flag

The Athens certificate concerns liability insurance in connection with injury and damage to passengers and their luggage in accidents occurring during commercial passenger voyages. Danish passenger ships engaged in international voyages as well as Danish passenger ships of class A and B engaged in domestic voyages must hold a certificate.

The certificate requirement also applies to foreign ships intending to call at Danish ports, places of loading or unloading or in the Danish continental shelf area, including passenger ships engaged in international trade in class A and B.

Shipping companies with several ships are urged to file a joint application on behalf of the company. Please fill in one application form with information about just one of the company's ships. Under "documents", Blue Cards should be attached for all relevant ships – preferably as a zip file. In the "comment" field, it should be written how many ships the application concerns.

The bunker certificate relates to insurance to cover liability for bunker oil pollution damage. Danish ships with a GT of 1,000 or more must have the certificate. The same goes for foreign ships with a GT of 1,000 or more that call at Danish ports, Danish places of loading or unloading, the Danish continental shelf area or operate on a permanent basis in Danish territorial waters.

DMA issues the certificate based on an application from the shipowner. The application must provide information about, i.a., the insurance taken out for the ship.

Shipowners with several ships are encouraged to prepare a joint application on behalf of the company. Fill in an application form with information about one of the company ships and go on to attach Blue Cards for all relevant ships under "documents", preferably as a zip file. Indicate also the number of ships covered by the application in the "comment field".

Please see if the Blue Card is directed to:
The Danish Maritime Authority 
Caspar Brands Plads 9
4220 Korsør
Denmark

Application for bunke​r certificate 

Guidelines on application for Bunker Certificates

On 20 August 2008 an order on insurance certificates related to bunker oil damage entered into force as a consequence of Denmark's ratification of the Bunker Convention. The Convention itself entered into force internationally on 21 November 2008 and requires shipowners to take out insurance to cover liability for bunker oil damage.

The requirement for a certificate applies to

  1. all Danish-registered ships with a GT of 1,000 or above regardless of use.
  2. All foreign ships with a GT of 1,000 or above calling at Danish ports, any place of loading or unloading
        in Denmark or the Danish continental shelf.
  3. All foreign ships operating in Danish territorial waters on a permanent basis.

For Danish-registered ships as shown under item 1 applications for insurance certificates must be submitted to the DMA.

Submit applications well before the expiry of the insurance. Most insurance policies expire once a year on 20 February.

Submit applications for new ships that have been entered in the Danish register outside the general certificate renewal period well before the ship starts sailing.

Danish-registered ships as shown under item 1) are not allowed to operate without a valid certificate on board.

Foreign ships as shown under item 2) and calling at Danish ports or any other place of loading or unloading in Denmark or the Danish continental shelf must carry a valid certificate on board. DMA issues a certificate valid for three months. Submit a fresh application with payment, if the ship calls at Danish ports for a period of more than the three months.

Foreign ships as shown under item 3 and operating permanently in Danish territorial waters must be issued with a certificate for the entire insurance period, but only for a maximum of up to one year.

Applications for bunker certificates can also be submitted to the DMA for foreign ships as mentioned under items 2 and 3, if they fly the flag of states that have not acceded to the Bunker Convention.  

Foreign ships as mentioned under items 2 and 3 without a valid bunker certificate will be detained. 

The website www.imo.org informs about the states that are parties to the convention.

The applicant must upload a declaration (Blue Card) from the insurance company as a prerequisite for the issuance of a certificate. The Blue Card must be addressed to the DMA and confirm that insurance has been taken out to cover liability pursuant to the Bunker Convention.

When applying for a bunker certificate for a Danish ship, the applicant must use an insurance company with approval from the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority as an insurance operator in Denmark and approval from the DMA as a supplier of bunker insurance.

When applying for a bunker certificate for a foreign ship, the applicant must use an insurance company with approval from the relevant authority as an insurance operator in its homeland and approval from the Danish Maritime Authority as a supplier of bunker insurance.

DMA follows the guidelines issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the subject in broad terms. This means that DMA has granted insurance companies that are members of the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG) prior approval as suppliers of bunker insurance. However, the members' insurance policies are only applicable for Danish ships, if the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority has approved the members as insurance operators in Denmark.

Insurance companies without membership of the IG are subject to an initial DMA approval and to subsequent DMA approval once a year. For the initial DMA approval, the insurance company must forward

  1. a declaration from the relevant authority in its home country that it is approved as an insurance
        operator in the home country,
  2. a declaration (Blue Card) that it covers liability pursuant to the Bunker Convention,
  3. a declaration that it covers liability pursuant to the Bunker Convention due to an act of terror,
  4. a declaration that it has adequate reinsurance for liability pursuant to the Bunker Convention and
  5. a declaration from its external auditor that it is not subject to liquidation, public administration or otherwise in the process of seeking protection from its creditors.

For the subsequent annual approval, DMA must receive a fresh reinsurance declaration as mentioned under 4) and a fresh auditor declaration as mentioned under 5).

If the insurance company has its home base in an EEA country, i.e. the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, the DMA normally collects the information mentioned under 1, 4 and 5 on its own.

The cost-based price is DKK 300 per certificate.

DMA forwards an invoice upon receipt of the Blue Card. You can also pay directly to Danske Bank A/S.

Account no.: 0216 4069031625
IBAN no.: DK8402164069031625
SWIFT: DABADKKK

Enter the name and IMO no. of the ship for reference. DMA issues the certificate upon receipt of payment.

​In order for a ship to acquire a certificate of nationality, it must have been admitted to one of the registers of shipping. If you have lost your certificate, you can apply for a new one.

Once the registration has been completed, a final certificate of nationality will be issued. The certificate of nationality documents that the ship is registered in the Danish International Register of Shipping (DIS). DIS is a protective register for ships as is the land register for real property. Through registration in DIS, the owner acquires protection of his ownership to the ship.

If you would like to read more about admission to the register, see under the Initial registration/re-registration to the danish ship registers.

The CLC certificate relates to insurance to cover liability for oil pollution damage during transportation of oil. Danish ships carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of persistent mineral oil with carbon hybrids must have a certificate.

The requirement for a certificate also applies to foreign ships that call at Danish ports, Danish places of loading or unloading or the Danish continental shelf area and transport more than 2,000 tonnes of oil in bulk as cargo.

DMA issues a certificate based on an application from the shipowner. The application must provide information about, i.a., the insurance taken out for the ship.

Shipowners with several ships are encouraged to prepare a joint application on behalf of the company. Fill in an application form with information about one of the company ships and go on to attach Blue Cards for all relevant ships under "documents", preferably as a zip file. Indicate also the number of ships covered by the application in the "comment field".

Please see if the Blue Card is directed to:
The Danish Maritime Authority 
Caspar Brands Plads 9
4220 Korsør
Denmark

Guidelines on application for CLC Certificates

Order no. 1351 of 3 December 2010 entered into force on 10 December 2010 and amended Order no. 217 of 8 April 1998 on insurance or other financial security in respect of civil liability for oil pollution damage from ships. The Order introduces provisions on fees for the issuance of CLC Certificates.

The requirement for a certificate applies to

  1. all ships registered in Denmark carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of oil in bulk as cargo.
  2. All foreign ships carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of oil in bulk as cargo when calling at or leaving a Danish port or any other place of loading or unloading in Denmark or on the Danish continental shelf.
  3. Ships owned by Danish state institutions carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of oil in bulk as cargo.
  4. Ships owned by a foreign state and carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of oil in bulk as cargo when calling at or leaving a Danish port or any other place of loading or unloading in Denmark or on the Danish continental shelf.

Applications for insurance certificates for ships registered in Denmark must be forwarded to the DMA.

Applications must be submitted well before the expiry of the insurance. Most insurance policies expire once a year on 20 February.

Applications for new ships entered in the Danish register outside the general certificate renewal period must be submitted well before the ship starts sailing.

Danish ships as shown under item 1) must not operate without a valid certificate on board.

Foreign ships as shown under item 2) and calling at a Danish port or any other place of loading or unloading in Denmark or on the Danish continental shelf must have a valid certificate on board. 

Danish state ships as shown under item 3) must have a valid certificate on board or another certificate issued by the DMA confirming that the ship is state-owned and that its insurance covers liability up to the limit specified in the merchant shipping act.

Foreign state ships as shown under item 4) must have a valid certificate on board or a certificate issued by the relevant authority confirming that the ship is state-owned and that its insurance covers liability up to the limit specified in the merchant shipping act.

The applicant must upload a declaration (Blue Card) from its insurance company as a prerequisite for the issuance of a certificate. The Blue Card must be addressed to the DMA and confirm that insurance has been taken out to cover liability pursuant to the CLC Convention. The declaration must also include data about the ship as shown in the application form.

When applying for a CLC certificate for a Danish ship, the applicant must use an insurance company with approval from the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority as an insurance operator in Denmark and approval from the Danish Maritime Authority as a supplier of CLC insurance.
 
When applying for a CLC certificate for a foreign ship, the applicant must use an insurance company with approval from the relevant authority as an insurance operator in its homeland and approval from the Danish Maritime Authority as a supplier of CLC insurance.

DMA follows the guidelines issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the subject in broad terms. This means that DMA has granted insurance companies that are members of the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG) prior approval as suppliers of oil insurance. However, the members' insurance policies are only applicable for Danish ships, if the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority has approved the members as insurance operators in Denmark.

Insurance companies without membership of the IG are subject to an initial DMA approval and to subsequent DMA approval once a year. For the initial DMA approval, the insurance company must forward

  1. a declaration from the relevant authority in its home country that it is approved as an insurance operator in the home country,
  2. a declaration (Blue Card) that it covers liability pursuant to the CLC convention,
  3. a declaration that it covers liability pursuant to the CLC convention due to an act of terror,
  4. a declaration that it has adequate reinsurance for liability pursuant to the CLC convention and
  5. a declaration from its external auditor that it is not subject to liquidation, public administration or otherwise in the process of seeking protection from its creditors.

For the subsequent annual approval, the DMA must receive a fresh reinsurance declaration as mentioned under 4) and a fresh auditor declaration as mentioned under 5).

If the insurance company has its home base in an EEA country, i.e. the EU plus Island, Norway and Liechtenstein, the DMA normally collects the information mentioned under 1, 4 and 5. on its own

The cost-based price is DKK 210 per certificate.

DMA forwards an invoice upon receipt of the Blue Card. You can also pay directly to Danske Bank A/S.

Account no.: 0216 4069031625
BAN no.: DK8402164069031625
SWIFT: DABADKKK

Enter the name and IMO no. of the ship for reference. DMA issues the certificate upon receipt of payment.

​​​​The CSR forms apply to ships engaged in international voyages, including cargo ships with a gross tonnage of or above 500 as well as all passenger ships.​

A CSR report describes the history of the ship, such as the ship's previous owners. The report must be available on board the ship.

You can apply by using the form below and sending a copy to srg@dma.dk

Initial Input Form - New building

Form 2 - Changes to ship's CSR

Form 3 - Index of amendments

All cargo and passenger ships with a gross tonnage of or above 500 engaged in international trade must be MLC certified. All other cargo and passenger ships can choose to be voluntarily certified.

A certification consists of an MLC certificate as well as two annexes:

Maritime Labour Certificate (MLC certificate)

The classification societies (ROs) issue the MLC certificate to all cargo ships in class and the Danish Maritime Authority issues it to passenger ships and cargo ships not in class.

Cargo ships in class

  • Contact the classification society of the ship for an MLC survey as well as certification
  • Send an application to the Danish Maritime Authority for being issued with a DMLC, part I

Passenger ships and cargo ships not in class

  • Contact the Danish Maritime Authority by email: cfs@dma.dk for an MLC survey as well as certification
    Submit the following:
    • The ship's name, IMO number or call sign
    • Draft DMLC, Part II
    • Documents referred to in DMLC, Part II
    • Documentations of the ship's exemptions as regards accommodation spaces and recreational facilities, if relevant
    • Company procedure for dealing with complaints on board

List of Danish ships' MLC certificates

​Declaration of Maritime Labour Certificate, Part I (DMLC, part I)

The Danish Maritime Authority issues DMLC, part I, on the basis of an application from the shipping company. The DMLC, part I, can be issued only by the Danish Maritime Authority.

If you would like to be issued with this certificate, please send an email to the Danish Maritime Authority by email: cfs@dma.dk and request to be issued with a DMCL, Part I. The mail must contain the following information:

  • Ship's name, IMO number or call sign
  • Indicate whether the ship has been granted any exemptions as regards accommodation spaces and recreational facilities. If the ship has been granted such exemptions, please enclose documentation hereof.

You are not to apply for a DMLC, part I, if the ship is to be surveyed by the Danish Maritime Authority.

 Danish DMLC part I has been updated 4 December 2024.

 At the next periodical MLC verification, latest edition of the Danish DMLC part I shall be on board and if deemed necessary, an updated DMLC part II to be reviewed and signed by the classification society (RO) (on cargo ships in class) or the Danish Maritime Authority (on passenger ships and cargo ships not in class).

Declaration of Maritime Labour Certificate, Part II (DMLC, part II)

The DMLC, part II, is always issued by the shipowner. You can use the template below to draw up a DMLC, part II.

Declaration of Maritime Labour Certificate, Part II (DMLC, part II)

Apply for a safe manning document 

If you want information and guidance about the issue of safe manning documents, go to 'Safe Manning Document'.

​​​​​​​​​When you install maritime radio equipment or buy a new ship with maritime radio equipment, you must have a Ship Station License. You apply for this from the Danish Maritime Authority.

When being issued with a Ship Station License, the ship is assigned a call sign and an MMSI number; if the ship has portable VHF equipment with DSC function, a portable ID number is also assigned.

A Ship Station License is assigned to one ship, and the assigned identification numbers must therefore only be used by that specific ship.

You can also read more about changes to and deregistration of the Ship Station License on this page.

Once the Danish Maritime Authority has considered the application and issued the certificate, the owner of the call sign will receive a certificate and a cover letter by e-Boks. These documents will be forwarded by email if you are exempted from e-Boks.

Shipowners with access to digital certificates on "Self-service" will find the issued certificate there.

If you, as a company or person, do not have a NemID employee certificate or private NemID, please contact radio@dma.dk before applying for a Ship Station License.

If you are in doubt regarding the application type, then you can read more on the guidance page for Ship Station License or contact radio@dma.dk.

Application for a new Ship Station License

Before applying for a new Ship Station License, you must have the following ready:

  • Your NemID employee certificate or private NemID.
  • Credit card.
  • Distinctive numbers or letters if the ship is in the register of shipping.
  • The ship's field of application according to the ITU ship classification.
  • Accounting Authority (AAIC).
  • The radio equipment installed on the ship.
  • Contact person ashore in the event of a distress situation.

A fee of 175 DKK will be charged for issuing a new call sign. The fee will be settled during the application process.
As the owner of the call sign, it is your responsibility that the information in the Ship Station License is correct.

Apply for a new Ship Station License

Read more about the subjects above on the guidance page for Ship Station License

Changes regarding Ship Station License

An application for changes regarding a call sign should be made if changes are made after the issue of the call sign which affect the Ship Station License. Examples given are change of ship's name, owner, radio equipment, accounting authority or contact person ashore in the event of a distress situation.

The HEX ID for the ship's EPIRB is registered by applying for changes, as are the registration and updating of the ship's Inmarsat numbers.

A fee of 175 DKK will be charged for change of ship's name and change of owner. The remaining changes are free of charge. Any fees are settled during the application process.

Apply for changes regarding Ship ​Station License

Deregistration of Ship Station License

If you request to deregister the ship's license, you must complete the application form for deregistration.

Deregistration of the Ship Station License is free of charge.

It is important to deregister in the following scenarios:

  • If the ship is sold and the new owner does not wish to take ownership of the license.
  • If the ship is scrapped.
  • If the ship is deleted from the register of shipping.
  • If the ship is being admitted to the register of shipping, the existing call sign must be deregistered first.
  • Other cases where the license is no longer required.

Apply for deregistration of Ship Station License

You must have a radio certificate to be able to operate your radio

In order to operate a VHF radio, you must as a minimum have an SRC certificate. For operating radio equipment in commercial ships, you must as a minimum have an ROC certificate.

Read more under SRC certificate

Read more under radio certificate

​​​​​​The wreck removal certificate concerns liability insurance in connection with the identification, marking and removal of wrecks. Danish ships with a gross tonnage of or above 300 must have a certificate.

The certificate requirement also applies to foreign ships with a gross tonnage of or above 300 that want to call at or depart from a Danish port or an offshore installation in Danish waters.

Shipping companies with several ships are urged to file a joint application on behalf of the company. Please fill in one application form with information about just one of the company's ships. Under "documents", Blue Cards should be attached for all relevant ships – preferably as a zip file. In the "comment" field, it should be written how many ships the application concerns.

Please see if the Blue Card is directed to:
The Danish Maritime Authority 
Caspar Brands Plads 9
4220 Korsør
Denmark

Contact

Ship Survey, Certification and Manning
T:+45 72 19 60 17