Opening doors for international talent in Denmark

On Thursday, 6 March, ShippingLab, Danish Maritime, IDA English Forum, and IDA Maritim hosted the event “How to Find a Job in Denmark as a Foreigner”, bringing together close to 300 participants at IDA’s venue in Copenhagen.

In the maritime industry — and in Danish society as a whole — attracting and retaining international employees creates tremendous value. This value increases significantly when their spouses and partners also find opportunities to thrive in the Danish job market. That’s why ShippingLab – in close cooperation with IDA English Forum, IDA Maritim, Copenhagen Capacity, Københavns Erhvervshus, Ultrabulk, MAN Energy Solutions, TORM, and Danish Maritime – arranged this event, focusing on practical advice, guidance, and networking opportunities for international professionals and their families seeking employment in Denmark.

Valuable insights from companies and key players

The evening featured presentations from both companies and organisations, all sharing valuable knowledge and personal experiences on how to successfully navigate the Danish labour market as an international professional.

Harshit Tripathi from Ultrabulk opened the event by sharing his personal journey as an international newcomer to Denmark — an honest and inspiring story highlighting key lessons and the most important things to be aware of when working in a Danish company.

Dan Rosenberg from Copenhagen Capacity followed with a presentation about the services and programmes Copenhagen Capacity offers to help international professionals find employment in Denmark — including tailored guidance and access to networks and opportunities specifically aimed at internationals.

Next, Københavns Erhvervshus took the stage, where Mahak Laursen and Dorthe Kingo Vesterlund introduced their range of services for international professionals and their families. They presented concrete tools and programmes designed to help newcomers understand the Danish job market and position themselves for success.

Harshit Tripathi, Ultrabulk

Dan Rosenberg, Copenhagen Capacity

Mahak Laursen and Dorthe Kingo Vesterlund, Københavns Erhvervshus

Insights from leading maritime representatives

Magnus Gary from ShippingLab then gave a brief introduction to ShippingLab’s role in ensuring that the maritime sector remains attractive to international talent — both now and in the future.

After the networking break, several representatives from the Danish maritime sector took the stage to share their perspectives and practical advice on how international professionals can enter and succeed in their organisations.

Susanne Irvang from Danish Maritime highlighted the size and global importance of the Danish maritime industry. She also encouraged attendees to visit the career portal www.maritimefuture.dk for further inspiration and job opportunities

TORM and MAN Energy Solutions offered honest and practical insights into their recruitment processes, including concrete do’s and don’ts for international candidates interested in joining their organisations. Veronica Fay Bermann Krivaa from TORM gave an introduction to TORM’s recruitment processes, emphasising that TORM is a truly international workplace with multiple nationalities and that speaking Danish is not a requirement when applying for a position. Frank Garbelmann from MAN Energy Solutions provided thorough and practical advice on how to approach job applications in Denmark. He also stressed that it’s not just about getting a job — but also about keeping it. To succeed, you need to be honest with yourself about what you want from your job and what you can contribute to your workplace.

A key takeaway echoed across several presentations was the importance of LinkedIn as a valuable tool for job seekers in Denmark. Most Danes actively use LinkedIn as a professional platform, making it an essential resource for networking and job searching.

Magnus Gary, ShippingLab

Susanne Irvang, Danish Maritime

Veronica Fay Bermann Krivaa, TORM

Frank Garbelmann, MAN Energy Solutions

Engaged dialogue and valuable networking

The event also provided ample opportunities for networking. During the break, several companies took the time to meet and engage with participants, answering questions and connecting directly with interested attendees.

The evening concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to ask the speakers direct questions and share their own experiences. There were many relevant and practical questions from the audience — including whether applicants need to meet all job requirements listed in a posting (spoiler: you don’t), and when it’s a good idea to call a recruiter or hiring manager before applying.

The importance of building and maintaining a professional network in Denmark was another recurring theme during the discussions. Networking — both online via LinkedIn and in person at events like this — can significantly improve job opportunities and career prospects for international professionals.

A joint effort to retain international talent

With this event, ShippingLab and its partners once again emphasised the importance of creating strong conditions for international employees and their families to thrive in Denmark. If we, as an industry, want to retain the best talent — and at the same time strengthen Denmark’s position as an attractive maritime nation — we need to ensure the entire family feels welcome, supported, and connected.

We look forward to continuing the dialogue and following up with more initiatives that support this important agenda.

Photos by Carsten Lundager