Education

Guidance for shipping companies

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 options, and how Danish Shipping can assist you in getting started.

Internship subsidy – up to DKK 80,000 per year

Shipping Companies Approved for Training Purposes (see the list here) may apply for internship subsidies from the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science (Uddannelses- og Forsk­nings­mi­ni­ste­ret) – up to DKK 80,000 per intern per year. The subsidy is available for companies undertaking internships as part of an approved education programme.

Eligibility Requirements

See 'Executive Order on Subsidies for Shipboard Internships' for specific guidelines.

  • Approved Internship Provider: The shipping company must be approved as a training provider for a relevant maritime education, such as ship officer, marine engineer, master mariner, or ship’s assistant. Approval is granted in cooperation with the maritime education institutions.
  • Training Agreement: A written agreement between the company and the student must be in place, meeting the requirements of the executive order (including a description of the internship period). This ensures the internship complies with the formal educational requirements.
  • Trainee Must Sail as Supernumerary: The student must be on board as an extra crew member and not counted in the ship’s manning.

Subsidy Amount and Use

The subsidy is intended to help cover part of the trainee’s wages, meals, and travel expenses. It is calculated as DKK 20,000 per 3 months of effective sea time, equivalent to up to DKK 80,000 for one year of internship.

  • Note: Since 2022, subsidies can also be granted for internships aboard foreign-flagged vessels, but only at up to 50% of the standard subsidy rate. The trainee must still be enrolled in a Danish maritime education institution.

Application Deadlines and Disbursement

  • First Tuesday in March at 12:00 (for internships between 1 July – 31 December)
  • First Tuesday in October at 12:00 (for internships between 1 January – 30 June)

Applications can typically be submitted from 2 months prior to the deadline. Late applications will be rejected. Approved subsidies are usually disbursed 2–3 weeks after the deadline.

Application forms and full guidelines are available on the website of the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science. Read more and download the application form on the Ministry of Higher Education and Science’s website here.

How to become an approved internship provider

To host interns and apply for subsidies, your shipping company must be approved as an internship provider.

Who grants approval?
Approval as an internship provider is carried out in cooperation with the maritime education institutions (e.g., SIMAC, MARTEC, Marstal School of Navigation, and others). These schools play a central role in assessing whether your company meets the requirements necessary to receive interns.

Most companies begin the process by contacting the relevant school, which can provide guidance and facilitate approval.

How the process works:

  1. Contact a maritime school – select the school for the programme from which you wish to receive interns.
  2. Submit documentation – such as information about your vessels, learning environment, and training plan.
  3. The school assesses whether you meet the requirements and grants approval as an internship provider.
  4. You are officially registered and can then employ interns and apply for subsidies.

Requirements for internship providers:

  • Vessels and equipment must be suitable for training.
  • Interns must serve in supernumerary positions.
  • A designated training supervisor must be on board.
  • The internship must allow students to fulfil the learning objectives of their education.
  • An educational agreement (internship contract) must be signed with each student.

How can Danish Shipping assist?

We support you throughout the entire process – from the first inquiry to the start of the internship.

✅ Assistance with approval
We guide you through the administrative procedures and handle dialogue with the relevant maritime school.

✅ Clarification of wages/student grants
We advise on when the intern must be remunerated and when student grants may apply.

✅ Recruitment
We maintain a pool of applications and CVs from students. Contact us for access.

✅ Onboarding
We assist in planning a proper reception and introduction on board. We also invite interns to a preparatory meeting about life at sea.

✅ Knowledge and guidance
We provide insight into internship periods, learning objectives, and educational requirements – ensuring a successful and meaningful internship experience.