Report on the Danish Ministry of Defence’s marine pollution preparedness and response to oil and chemical spills in Danish waters

22-01-2024

Report no. 7/2023

The purpose of the study is to assess whether the Danish Ministry of Defence has ensured a satisfactory marine pollution preparedness and response to combat oil and chemical spills in Danish waters. 

The report answers the following questions: 

  • Is the level of the Danish Ministry of Defence’s marine pollution preparedness and response adequate for dealing with all the sources of pollution required by law?
  • Is the capacity of the Danish Ministry of Defence’s marine pollution preparedness and response adequate to deal with incidents of pollution?
  • Is the level of capacity of the Danish Ministry of Defence’s marine pollution preparedness and response adequate to deal with incidents of pollution in due time? 

The Ministry of Defence’s marine pollution preparedness and response to deal with oil and chemical spill in the sea is very unsatisfactory. The capacity of preparedness is insufficient and does not meet the requirements of relevant legislation. Therefore, the ministry is not fully capable of protecting the sea and the coasts from the impact of pollution. 

Rigsrevisionen took the initiative to the study in February 2023.

Read the introduction and conclusion (PDF)