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Port of Hirtshals comes prepared for the future
Port of Hirtshals was able to maintain a high activity level during 2021 despite the coronavirus crisis impacting car and passenger traffic significantly. That is made obvious by the annual accounts of the port, showing a turnover of DKR 76 million which is an increase of 6 percent compared to the year before. The progress is partly due to an increase of 7.5 percent in cargo transport which means that 2.02 million tons of goods were transported via the quays in Hirtshals.
Since the last coronavirus restrictions were lifted, there has been an increase in the number of cars passing through the port, and therefore the Port of Hirtshals expects a significant increase that specific area in 2022. In 2021, fish of an approximated value of DKR 226.6 million was landed at the port, and that clearly show that fishery is still a significant part of the activities at the Port of Hirtshals. This is also emphasized by the investment of millions of Danish kroner in a new bio refinery at the port.
"The total amount of cargo is the highest in three years, and that is, of course, a development that we are incredibly happy with. The increase in cargo shows that the demand for cargo traffic through Hirtshals is on the rise, and that is very positive as it gives us a great starting point for future investments as well as the ambitious growth plans, we have made for the port," says CEO at the Port of Hirtshals, Per Holm Nørgaard.
Port of Hirtshals has created a targeted plan for an extensive expansion of the port which will expand the port significantly and strengthen the possibilities for growth. The port expansion consists of a new entrance to the port and an outer port basin, both of which will allow for larger vessels to call the Port of Hirtshals. Also, the possibilities for loading and unloading will be improved with more port meters, it will become easier for vessels to maneuver inside the port, and bigger waiting and business areas will be created.
"The expansion of the port gives us completely different possibilities for new initiatives and growth than we have today. The investments will allow us to attract more businesses and give new opportunities to the businesses already present at the port today, simply because it will be even more attractive to make use of the Port of Hirtshals. We give the shipping companies - and the entire transportation sector - new possibilities when it comes to future logistics and distribution solutions in Northern Europe. We have created a strategy which prepares the Port of Hirtshals for the future," Per Holm Nørgaard explains.
Focus on green transition
He adds that the Port of Hirtshals has already taken several steps to attract investments and businesses that focus on the green transition. That is why Greenport North, a new, independent development company has been created. The company will work on the development of the areas of the port which are not directly connected with the port's ordinary operations.
"Hirtshals must be a front runner when it comes to the green transition. We wish to create an area that contributes to the green transition by focusing on the production and consumption of green energy. This will be done by a sector coupling between e.g., district heating, green electricity, and liquid biogas. In addition to that, we also want to support the development of different types of propulsion, including environmentally friendly produced electricity used to produce hydrogen and other green fuels," Per Holm Nørgaard states.
He underlines that the new initiatives at the Port of Hirtshals give reason for great optimism, both in the short term and in the long term.
"We take an optimistic view of 2022 and expect rising levels of activity in the short run. We are also working on plans for the future and the upgrade of the Port of Hirtshals, so we have some exciting years ahead of us," says Per Holm Nørgaard.