Danish Maritime Authority Criticized for Role in 1990 Scandinavian Star Ferry Disaster

The Danish Maritime Authority is facing criticism for its involvement in the Scandinavian Star ferry disaster, which claimed the lives of 159 people in 1990. An independent task force appointed by the Danish Minister of Justice found that if an inspector from the DMA had boarded the ferry before it sailed, they would have noticed discrepancies in the vessel’s documentation and conditions that could have prevented the tragedy. The report highlighted missed opportunities for inspections and drills that could have equipped the crew to handle emergencies like the arson attacks that occurred on the ferry.

The task force’s report also pointed out that both Denmark and Norway, as port states, had a responsibility to ensure the safety of the ferry despite it being registered in the Bahamas. However, neither country exercised proper control over the vessel, leading to a joint Nordic investigation criticizing their lack of oversight. The DMA was specifically called out for failing to communicate effectively and for not managing conflicts of interest with various stakeholders, including politicians, government officials, and the media.

Henrik Berlau, a campaigner who has long sought to expose the DMA’s role in the disaster, expressed concern over the agency’s actions, describing them as a “conspiracy” to deflect responsibility. Berlau criticized the DMA for misleading parliament and ministers for over three decades and manipulating the press to avoid accountability. He and other campaigners are now waiting to see how the government will address the issues raised in the report and handle what they perceive as corruption within the maritime agency. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is also looking into providing support to the crew and families affected by the tragedy.

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