Danish Pilot Associations Announce Historic Merger

The Danish pilotage sector is set for major structural change following an agreement between the country’s two pilot associations, Danish Maritime Pilots and Danske Lodser, to merge into a single, unified organisation. The new association, Lodsforeningen Danmark (Danish Maritime Pilots Association), will represent all Danish maritime pilots under one collective framework.

The merger, announced last week, will bring the two previously separate groups together under a common collective bargaining agreement. According to the parties, the new association will focus on negotiations, professional development, and political advocacy. Lodsforeningen Danmark will operate with its own membership, elected representatives, board, and independent finances, and will also join the Danish Maritime Leaders' Association.

Lars Sigvart, one of the key negotiators, hailed the agreement as a landmark moment. “It is truly a historic day for the pilots in Denmark,” he said. “We look forward to tackling the tasks, challenges and opportunities ahead of us—now together. I am pleased that through very constructive negotiations, we have found a common platform and a forward-looking collaboration with the Danish Maritime Leaders’ Association.”

Bjarne Caesar Skinnerup, also involved in the process, highlighted the origins of the agreement: “The agreement is the result of a network meeting held at the EMPA General Meeting in Krakow, where the old boys effectively used the coffee breaks in the conference to work out the framework on which the merger stands today.”

Final approval of the merger is expected during extraordinary meetings in December 2025, with the founding general meeting of the new association scheduled for March 17, 2026.

The European Maritime Pilots’ Association (EMPA) has welcomed the development, applauding the Danish pilots for achieving unity. EMPA praised the efforts of key contributors—including Lars Sigvart, Mikael Pedersen, Bjarne Caesar Skinnerup and Torben Jakobsen—calling the merger “a most welcome improvement” that will strengthen pilotage both in Denmark and across Europe.