Please note

Please note that new regulations entered into force on 1 January 2026. This means that applications must be prepared using the new template and must include a significance assessment and, where relevant, an impact assessment.

Link to download new template: Application template

For further information about the new regulations: Retsinformation (only in Danish).

Application for permission to conduct a maritime survey

Here you can find information on how to apply for authorisation to conduct a hydrographic survey.

Hydrographic surveying in Danish and Greenlandic waters, may only be carried out with permission from the Danish Geodata Agency, cf. Section 7 of Lov om stedbestemt information. The permit requirement covers hydrographic surveys conducted for commercial purposes, public authority tasks, as well as surveys carried out in connection with the systematic surveying of wrecks.

Foreign survey vessels are subject to the same application process as Danish vessels. In the case of foreign state vessels, applications for permission to operate in Danish, Faroese, or Greenlandic waters may be submitted through diplomatic channels by the flag state.

It is not necessary to apply for permission to survey harbours, as this falls within the area of responsibility of the individual harbour. The Danish Geodata Agency also does not require a hydrographic survey permit when harbours carry out control surveys of the fairway leading into the harbour, even if the fairway extends beyond the harbour’s area. If the harbour wishes the survey to be included in the nautical chart, the data must be submitted to the Danish Geodata Agency for verification and quality assurance. The timing of publication depends on the Danish Geodata Agency’s publication schedule.

A permit issued by the Danish Geodata Agency does not cover geotechnical bottom investigations. For such activities, the Danish Energy Agency must be contacted.

A number of conditions must be met before, during and after survey work.

  1. Only the vessel(s) listed on the licence are permitted to survey. Updates concerning the vessel(s) used for surveying must be reported to the Danish Defence Operation Centre (opscent@sok.dk) with Cc. to the Danish Geodata Agency (soeopmaalingstilladelser@gst.dk).
  2. A copy of the survey licence must be kept on board all survey vessels at all times so that it can be presented to the Danish Navy if requested.
  3. Where necessary, navigational information must be provided to the Danish Maritime Authority for the production and update of Notices to Mariners (efs@dma.dk).
  4. If objects or depths are identified as dangerous to navigation and are less than the depth stated on the  navigational chart, the Maritime Assistance Centre (mas@sok.dk) and the Danish Geodata Agency (soeopmaalingstilladelser@gst.dk) should be notified immediately.
  5. If suspicious unidentified objects, remnants of ammunition or unexploded ordnance (UXOs) are identified during the survey, work must immediately be put on hold and the Danish Defence Operation Centre (opscent@sok.dk) contacted immediately, cf. §14 in BEK 1351 of 29/11/2013 on sailing safety for construction work and other activities, etc. in Danish waters.
  6. The Danish Geodata Agency has the authority to inspect and control the survey at any time.
  7. The survey results must not be disclosed to anyone other than the client who ordered the survey task. If survey data is included in tender documents, or the alike, it must be endorsed that data cannot be disclosed to unauthorised persons. Survey results can only be used for the task specified in the application. 
  8. Survey data must be submitted to the Danish Geodata Agency (§7 stk 2 Lov om stedbestemt information).  The Danish Geodata Agency has the permission to use the received data and information free of charge.  This use includes archiving and storing of the data for future use in navigational charts and publications.  

Survey data must be delivered electronically as measured minimum depths and in a standard xyz format, together with a complete metadata list (describing the equipment used, calibration methods, etc.). For further information see “Instructions for submission of bathymetric data and metadata to the Danish Geodata Agency”.

The data must be submitted to the Danish Geodata Agency within 3 months of survey completion.  

Permission for marine surveying must be issued before the commencement of surveying. The processing time for marine surveying permits is approximately 30 working days.

If the application involves the use of an acoustic underwater positioning system, such as USBL, longer processing time should be expected.

Please note that in the event of changes in the application for surveying (e.g. vessel, start/end date or location of the survey), a new case processing process will be initiated.

GST and the consultation parties are endeavouring to process the application as quickly as possible.