On 1 January 2000, the Danish contingency organisation for combating pollution of the sea caused by oil and other harmful substances was handed over from the Danish Ministry of the Environment and Energy to the Danish Ministry of Defence.

Remaining at the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (Danish EPA) under the Ministry of the Environment and Energy is the administration of legislation concerning environmental protection (the Danish Act for the Protection of the Marine Environment) and environmental regulation of offshore activities.

The Danish Ministry of Defence has delegated the contingency functions to Defence Command Denmark, which for its part has delegated the contingency functions to Admiral Danish Fleet (Royal Danish Navy).

Regarding illegal discharges into the sea from ships, Admiral Danish Fleet is responsible for the enforcement of the Danish Act for the protection of the Marine Environment. The enforcement jurisdiction for violations of this Act are the Danish territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone and beyond this area where it is consistent with international law (UNCLOS 1982).

The Act is based on MARPOL 73/78 and incorporates the regulations concerning discharges into the sea.

For detailed information see the Danish part of the EU Environment website