The insurance and certification requirements of the Convention on the Removal of Wrecks become effective this April. In this connection, the Danish Maritime Authority has a request for Danish companies and shipowners.

On 14 April 2015, the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks enters into force.

Therefore new regulations will be implemented

All Danish ships of or above 20 GT (gross tonnage) must take out insurance or other financial security to cover the owner’s liability in connection with the removal of wrecks. The ships must not engage in trade at all if such insurance or other financial security is not held. The regulations apply to all types of ships – not just merchant ships, but also fishing vessels, passenger ships and recreational craft.

Large ships of or above 300 GT must carry a certificate on board, certifying that they have the required insurance/financial security. If such a certificate is not carried on board, the ships must not engage in trade and are at risk of being detained – this is so in Denmark, Bulgaria, Congo, Cook Islands, India, Iran, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Morocco, Nigeria, Palau, Great Britain and Germany.

The requirement to carry a certificate also applies to foreign ships of or above 300 GT calling at Danish ports or offshore installations in Danish territorial waters.

Request for Danish shipowners

The Danish Maritime Authority urges all owners of Danish ships of or above 20 GT to make sure that they have taken out valid insurance to cover their liability in connection with the removal of wrecks before 14 April 2015.

In addition, the Danish Maritime Authority urges Danish shipowners with ships of or above 300 GT to forward applications for certificates to the Danish Maritime Authority as soon as possible and well in advance of 14 April 2015 so that we can help you get the certificate and, thus, avoid any problems.