Now it’s official:
The first phase of the port expansion in Hirtshals is announced
Port of Hirtshals is now unveiling the first concrete step in the expansion with the so-called ‘Nordhavnen’. Phase 1 will consist of an extension of the outer western breakwater, which is a crucial initiative in improving navigational conditions and preparing the port for the maritime traffic of the future.
At the end of 2024, Port of Hirtshals announced that the upcoming port expansion would be carried out in phases, with financial responsibility at the core. Now, the port reveals the first phase of the project, which involves extending one of the breakwaters at the entrance to the port.
- We have always known that the primary focus of the expansion should be to improve navigational conditions, says Niels Kiersgaard, Chief Technical Officer and responsible for the expansion project at Port of Hirtshals and continues: There are several ways to improve navigational conditions, and we have selected the solution that best combines technical efficiency with economic responsibility.
Extending the outer western breakwater will provide more shelter and therefore calmer wave conditions at the port entrance. This will give vessels better manoeuvrability and increase the regularity of both cargo and ferry operations. It is also one of the key prerequisites for enabling larger vessels of the future to call the port, even in rough weather.
Phase 1 of the expansion in Hirtshals is essential to maintain and future-proof Port of Hirtshals’ role as a central transport hub between Scandinavia and Europe for both current and future customers.
Long-term planning – for good reason
A port expansion is a comprehensive project where legal requirements and dialogues with regulatory bodies are required. The next step in the establishment of Phase 1 of Nordhavnen is to submit an application to the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority, which will include a detailed project description and an environmental impact assessment.
The application will then be subject to public consultation. Once approved, the project will go to tender, allowing interested contractors to submit bids.
- We are in a large-scale coordination effort, with many procedures and requirements. On top of that, we need to map everything from storage of construction materials to working space for vessels, while ensuring uninterrupted operations for the port and its customers during the construction phase. We expect the first stones to be laid on the western breakwater by late 2026 or early 2027, says Niels Kiersgaard.
Port of Hirtshals approaches Phase 1 of the port expansion with a firm commitment to safety, quality, and respect for the port’s ongoing operations. As such, no fixed end date has been set. However, the current estimate is for the project to be completed before 2030.
Visualisation of Nordhavnen
The vision for the complete port expansion includes a new entrance channel and an outer port basin, additional quay meters and ro/ro berths, as well as the establishment of marshaling and commercial areas.