HDMS Danbjørn (sometimes referred to as Danbjoern) was a Danish icebreaker built for breaking and reporting ice in the sea for Danish Ice Service in 1965.[1] Originally operated by the Ministry of Industrial Affairs, Danbjørn was manned by the Royal Danish Navy throughout its history, but was officially incorporated in the navy on January 1, 1996.[2]
The purpose of the ship was to assist shipping to and from Danish ports among these the most important supply and export ports, during ice conditions in the Danish waters within the Skaw.[3] The shipping was assisted as close as possible to their port of destination where the remaining icebreaking is taken over by the port’s own icebreaking resources. Assistance is given according to the following priority:[4]
The action from Danbjørn was seen each winter from December 15 to March 31, along with Isbjørn.[5]
The icebreaker was sold for scrap in 2023 after a long lay-up. The icebreaker was previously used in Danish waters in the winter of 1995–1996 and in Swedish waters in 2006.[6]