Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) and German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) signed a common agreement on safety standards for the transport of passengers in the Flensborg Fjord on April 28.
The agreement defines the scope of safety standards to be met by passenger vessels and ferries.
For instance, vessels must be equipped with lifejackets, life rafts and the necessary fire safety. If these requirements are met, Germany inland waterway vessels will be allowed to carry passengers, use Danish ports and offer services on both the Danish and German part of the Flensborg Fjord, according to the DMA.
“I am very pleased that the agreement establishes clear guidelines for ships that want to carry passengers between Denmark and Germany on Flensborg Fjord. Previously, different regulations in the two countries have been a source of great frustration for the shipowners affected,” Brian Mikkelsen, Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, said.
“With this memorandum of understanding we have managed to meet the demand expressed by the inland navigation industry, the tourism sector, the cities and local authorities, namely to facilitate the carriage of passengers on the entire Flensborg Fjord,” Enak Ferlemann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure , commented.
Danish and German vessel operators who want to carry passengers in accordance with this agreement are advised to contact their national maritime authority in order to ensure that they meet the requirements established.