A report entitled “Employment and production in Blue Denmark 2015” has been published, offering updated information on the maritime industries in Denmark. For the second time, the Economic Council of the Labour Movement has drawn up a report on employment and production in Blue Denmark for the Danish Maritime Authority. This year, the report is based on national accounts figures until 2011 and figures on production and value added until 2014. It provides a more updated picture than the one given in last year’s report, which was based on 2009 figures.
Maritime exports account for almost 25 per cent of total exports
In 2009, the maritime industry accounted for 22.5 per cent of total Danish exports, and in 2011 this figure was 24.4 per cent. Thus, in terms of production and value added, Blue Denmark’s share of the Danish economy is increasing according to the report.
In addition, the report states that the production trend for the shipping and ship building industries is slightly better than developments in the overall Danish economy. Especially the marine equipment industry distinguishes itself by having a high growth in productivity.
However, productivity developments in oil and gas have been negative since 2005 as a consequence of decreasing production and value added in the North Sea. This fact, combined with decreasing productivity in the category of supporting services (ports, shipping agents, etc.), means that, all in all, Blue Denmark has experienced a negative productivity trend during the period.
Total employment remains unchanged
If developments in recent ten years are considered, the total level of employment, i.e. the sum of direct and indirect employment in Blue Denmark, remains almost unchanged. In 2004, employment in the maritime professions accounted for 3.9 per cent of total Danish employment, while the figure was 3.8 per cent in 2014.
Source: Danish Maritime Authority
