Danish Shipping Implements New Measures To Combat Bullying & Harassment On Ships

Danish Shipping has taken decisive action to combat bullying and harassment onboard Danish-flagged vessels.

The new measures, developed in collaboration with the Danish Maritime Authority, Danish Shipping, Metal Maritime, and the Danish Engineer’s Association, aim to ensure that no seafarer is harassed or bullied at work.

These measures aim to provide a safe and secure working environment for all seafarers, regardless of gender, ethnicity or other identities.

Bødskov praised the seafarers for sharing their experiences and emphasized the need for industry-wide efforts to address these issues.

The new measures include focused training for ship management, improved victim reporting systems, and stricter penalties.

Judges may suspend a seafarer’s right to serve aboard Danish ships in severe situations. The Sea Health and Welfare Service will also be granted new powers to prevent and manage bullying and harassment.

Danish Shipping, a key player in this effort, has also issued new best practice recommendations to help solve these issues. The recommendations, revealed at Danish Shipping’s annual Blue Pride Bar event, emphasize top-level leadership, focused training, and frequent monitoring and reporting of harassment incidents.

Lars Have Hansen, Chairman of the Danish Engineers Association, expressed hope that new standards will improve working conditions for seafarers and help shipping companies recruit talent. Anne H. Steffensen, CEO of Danish Shipping, emphasized the industry’s responsibility for psychological safety on ships.

In addition to these measures, Hafnia received the Danish Shipping’s DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) award at the event. The award recognizes the company’s efforts to promote diversity and create a safe working environment, mainly through initiatives like improved parental leave policies, gender-neutral language, and zero tolerance for harassment.

Hafnia, with 8% female seafarers, significantly more than the industry average, continues establishing a high standard in the shipping sector.

These new initiatives are a huge step toward ensuring a safer, more inclusive environment for all seafarers on Danish-flagged ships.

Reference: Danish Shipping