Offshore Medicals is run by Dr Helle Wibe
Seafarer and petroleum doctor with more than 20,000 medical examinations. OEUK-approved since 2006 and approved in Denmark, Norway, the UK and Sweden.
Are you pregnant and working offshore or at sea? Here is what the Norwegian health requirements, the Danish Maritime Authority, the ILO and IMO and the Danish Working Environment Authority say about pregnancy, and what your employer must do.
| Where | What the rules say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian shelf | The health requirements are not met in pregnancy after week 28 | Health requirements regulation, section 11 |
| Danish ships | Uncomplicated pregnancy is compatible with a medical certificate until week 24 | Danish Maritime Authority, BEK 1463 annex 3 |
| Ships, internationally | Uncomplicated pregnancy normally until week 24, following national practice | ILO and IMO guidelines |
| Danish workplaces | The employer assesses and ensures that the work is not a risk to the pregnancy | Danish Working Environment Authority |
The rules are about when you may be out there, not that you must stop as soon as you are pregnant. According to the Danish Working Environment Authority, most pregnant employees can continue their work without risk to the pregnancy, but the employer must assess the conditions.
The Norwegian health requirements regulation (section 11) states directly that the health requirements are not met in pregnancy after week 28. This applies whether you hold a Norwegian health certificate or a British OEUK certificate, because the County Governor of Rogaland states that people with British and Dutch health certificates are subject to all the rules in the Norwegian regulation.
The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) states in an interpretation that the Working Environment Act's requirements on adapting the work also apply offshore, and that the employer and the operator must cooperate on this. If the risk assessment shows that the working environment may harm the unborn child, and the risk cannot be avoided in other ways, the employer must arrange a transfer to other work. Havtil also notes that companies may have their own requirements.
Annex 3 of the Danish Maritime Authority's order, on common medical conditions, has a row on pregnancy. It gives the reason as complications, limited mobility and the risk of harm to mother and child from a premature birth at sea.
The ILO and IMO guidelines use the same limit. They mention that, after a case-by-case assessment, working later in pregnancy on near coastal vessels may be considered, and that decisions should follow national practice and legislation.
The Danish Working Environment Authority states that when an employee becomes pregnant or is breastfeeding, it is important that the employer assesses and ensures that the work is not a risk to the pregnancy or breastfeeding, and that this includes:
The authority mentions repeated lifting, prolonged standing, strong vibrations, noise, radiation and extreme temperatures among the physical factors that require special adaptation. If you are in doubt, the authority says you can see your own GP for an overall assessment. See also the rules on pregnancy and night work in the guide night work health assessment.
The ILO and IMO state that pregnancy should be declared at an early stage, so national recommendations on antenatal care and screening can be followed. Your employer can only adapt the work once the employer knows you are pregnant.
Prices include VAT and are also on the price list. The clinic is at Smørpøtvej 9, Esbjerg Ø.
DKK 1,035
Eyesight, colour vision and hearing to the Danish Maritime Authority annexes.
Sources: Norwegian regulation on health requirements for persons working on petroleum installations offshore, section 11, Havtil, interpretation of the activities regulations section 33, work offshore during pregnancy (2007), County Governor of Rogaland, Helseerklæring offshore, Danish Maritime Authority, BEK no. 1463 of 5 December 2023, annex 3, ILO and IMO, Guidelines on the medical examinations of seafarers, appendix E and Danish Working Environment Authority, Arbejdsmiljø for gravide og ammende. Read September 2026. This page is practical guidance and does not replace the doctor's assessment on the day.
On the Norwegian shelf, the health requirements are not met in pregnancy after week 28. This is in the Norwegian health requirements regulation, section 11, and also applies if you hold a British OEUK certificate.
Under annex 3 of the Danish Maritime Authority's order, uncomplicated pregnancy is compatible with a medical certificate until week 24. After an individual assessment, you may be able to work later with limited duties.
The ILO and IMO state that pregnancy should be declared early. Your employer can only adapt the work once the employer knows.
According to the Danish Working Environment Authority, assess and ensure that the work is not a risk to the pregnancy, for example through technical measures, changed planning or other duties.
Seafarer and petroleum doctor with more than 20,000 medical examinations. OEUK-approved since 2006 and approved in Denmark, Norway, the UK and Sweden.