Denmark and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on maritime cooperation in Washington on 22 October 2026. It aims to give Danish companies and institutions a role as the US rebuilds its shipbuilding industry.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen signed it with Jacob Helberg, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs.
According to the Danish ministry, the MoU covers three areas. The first is training for maritime engineers and ship designers. The second is sales of Danish components, such as engines and equipment for specialised vessels. The third is defence-industrial and dual-use cooperation, for example seabed surveillance and maritime drones. The ministry says the work will take place on commercial terms.
— The cooperation agreement can help strengthen access to the American market and bring Danish expertise into play as the US invests in rebuilding its maritime capacity, says Jenny N. Braat, CEO of the industry association Danske Maritime.
The MoU “does not create rights or obligations under international law.” It “does not authorize any procurement, award of contracts or transfer of funds between the Participants,” meaning the two governments. Commercial contracts between companies and institutions in the two countries can be concluded separately. The MoU does not apply to Greenland or the Faroe Islands.
The State Department says the MoU seeks to attract Danish investment to US shipyards and make builds and repairs faster and cheaper. It calls the MoU “a first step toward a broader U.S.-Denmark maritime partnership.”