The Maritime Internship Office
The Danish Shipping Internship Office works strategically to ensure access to maritime trainee positions for young people interested in a career at sea, while also supporting training officers and shipping companies in their work with internships and education.
Are you a student seeking an internship at sea?
Internships at sea
Internships are a central component of maritime education programmes. As a student, it is your responsibility to secure an internship placement. Finding a placement can take time, so begin your search early and make use of all available options, including advertised positions and unsolicited applications.
How to Get Started
- Apply broadly: Identify which shipping companies operate in the sector – ask your school, use your network, and consult this page for an overview of member companies offering internship placements.
- der tilbyder praktikpladser
Be proactive: Send applications to at least 5–7 relevant internship providers.
Vaccinations Prior to Going to Sea
As an intern, you may be deployed anywhere in the world, and vaccination requirements vary accordingly. Always seek advice from your maritime medical examiner or a vaccination specialist. You may also contact The Medical Office on 📞 +45 3348 9263 for guidance on vaccinations and other health-related precautions.
Preliminary Income Assessment During Internship
Managing your preliminary income assessment can be confusing when you begin earning wages at sea. The Equalisation Office for Danish Shipping are experts in tax matters for seafarers and can assist you in completing your assessment correctly, helping you avoid outstanding tax payments. Contact them via the Equalisation Office for Danish Shipping online.
Need Advice?
Students are always welcome to contact the Internship Office for guidance—whether you need feedback on an application, assistance strengthening your CV, clarification of internship requirements, or tips for preparing for an interview. The Internship Office is ready to provide support to ensure that you are well equipped to secure your internship placement.
The Internship Guarantee: An investment in the Seafarers of the Future
Denmark’s maritime sector requires skilled and competitive seafarers in order to maintain and strengthen the nation’s position as one of the world’s leading shipping nations.
To support this goal, the Growth Team for Blue Denmark has recommended a number of initiatives—including increasing the number of maritime internship placements and improving access to them. As a result, the industry provides 400 internship placements annually across four maritime education programmes.
See which member companies offer internship placements to students enrolled in:
- The Ship’s Assistant Programme
- The Navigator Programme
- The Marine Engineer Programme
- The Ship Officer Programme
Danish Shipping does not administer the placements directly, but supports its member companies in establishing the necessary framework to fulfil the guarantee. Students must therefore apply directly to individual shipping companies.
Become an internship provider
If your company would like to offer internship placements but has not yet begun, the Internship Office is ready to assist you throughout the entire process—from approval procedures to practical implementation.
On this page, you can see which other shipping companies are already part of the maritime internship network.
We can support you with:
- Recruitment of trainees and students
- Coordination of internship programmes
- Administrative tasks associated with internships
Read more here.
Do not hesitate to contact the Internship Office – we make it easy to get started. You will also find guidelines and practical information on this website, including guides for training officers and details regarding internship reimbursement.
Kom med Ombord (Come Aboard) – join the collaboration
Would your shipping company like to help develop the seafarers of tomorrow while also strengthening recruitment across the industry?
Kom med Ombord (Come Aboard) is a unique internship programme in which students complete 12 months of effective sea time across three different shipping companies. The programme provides young people with broad insight into the many segments of the maritime sector – and gives your company the opportunity to present your workplace to motivated talent.
As a participating company, you receive:
- Access to skilled and committed interns
- The opportunity to showcase your strengths as an employer
- A key role in attracting and retaining the next generation of seafarers
How to join Kom med Ombord (Come Aboard)
Contact Education Consultant Emma Gulmark Nørskov at egn@danishshipping.dk for an initial discussion of the possibilities. We will guide you throughout the process – from registration to coordination of internship periods.
Important information for Training Officers
As a training officer, you play a crucial role in the students’ learning journey at sea. You are the one who guides, motivates, and ensures that the internship is both professionally rewarding and meaningful – whether for marine engineering students, navigation students, or ship’s assistants.
To make your work easier, we have developed a series of Pixi Books that provide a quick and accessible overview of your tasks and areas of responsibility for each education programme.
Pixi books for Training Officers (English-language versions)
Become an internship provider for maritime students
Is your shipping company interested in taking on maritime interns? Here you will find the necessary information about becoming an approved internship provider, available subsidy schemes, and how Danish Shipping can help you get started.
Overview of internship providers
Here you will find an overview of the Danish shipping companies that are currently approved as internship providers and offer placements to students enrolled in maritime education programmes. Click through to view internship providers within your specific field of study.
Practical advice for securing an internship
At the Danish Shipping Internship Office, we are committed to providing young people interested in a maritime career with the best possible opportunities to secure an internship at sea. For this reason, we have developed a comprehensive guide to support you in preparing a strong internship application.