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Germany drops extra certification for Danish tugs and workboats
A rule forcing Danish tug and workboat owners to obtain additional certification from German authorities has been dropped
German authorities are now dropping the requirement that Danish vessels operating without SOLAS certificates must undergo an inspection when they call at German ports or work from Germany.
According to the Danish Shipowners Association Danske Rederier, this will avoid "superfluous and time-consuming bureaucracy, as these Danish vessels have already undergone inspections in Denmark."
This includes tugboats and workboats, offshore support vessels and others not requiring SOLAS certification. They will not need special certificates from German authorities.
"It has been an unreasonable demand that has not really done anything for safety, as the Danish ships have already been in good and safe condition," said Danish Shipping’s director of climate, environment and safety, Nina Porst.
"While at the same time, it has caused our members significant costs and challenges. It is always a good day when common sense prevails."
Danish Shipping has long worked against this requirement, as it has not been reasonable that Danish vessels should first be inspected by Danish authorities and then again by those in Germany.
Vessels had to be out of service when undergoing the German survey, and it has been an additional cost for Danish vessel owners.
These rules had affected Danish owners’ ability to fulfil contractual obligations.
"This rule change will make it more free and accessible for us to work in Germany and thus give us better opportunities in the German market," said NH Towage chief executive and owner Niels Henriksen.
"Of course, this should be the case in an industry like ours, where we all sail on the same international rules. It has never made sense with this national special rule within the European Union."
DBB Dredging chief executive Stefan Andreasen added, "When we have planned the execution of a task in Germany, we have typically had to add an extra two or three days to have an inspection carried out. It has been distorting competition when not everyone has been subject to the same rules. In the future, it will definitely be easier for us to make offers and bid for assignments in the German market," said Mr Andreasen.
According to the association, the rationale behind the German authorities’ decision to now drop the requirement is supported by the fact the German authorities have never made any further demands on Danish vessels.
"This confirms that Danish ships were already in a safe and good condition," said Danish Shipping.
Prior to the decision, Danish Shipping was in continuous dialogue with the European Commission about the legality of this requirement.
SOLAS requirements apply to ships with a tonnage of more than 500 gross tonnes. Therefore, several Danish vessels of less than 500 gt, which call at German ports or work from Germany, do not have a SOLAS certificate.
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