Port Director wraps up the year:
“2025 became the year of the fish, with growth and green waves at the Port of Hirtshals.”
2026 knocks on the door and calls for a look back at the year now drawing to a close. At the Port of Hirtshals, we are pleased to have experienced yet another year of growth, in which the first stage of the port expansion and green investments have played a major role. It has truly also been a year of the fish.
In North Jutland, we tend to be sparing with big words, but I nevertheless dare to describe 2025 as a year we can be proud of at Port of Hirtshals.
I am proud of my great colleagues. Proud of the many initiatives that have driven the port forward. Proud of the outlook shaping the picture for 2026 and Port of Hirtshals of the future.
Growth at Port of Hirtshals
Earlier in December, we welcomed curious visitors to our annual event “Port Day for Everyone”, an open meeting about the past year and future plans for Port of Hirtshals. Here, we were able to share that the port’s turnover has increased by 80% since 2009. This year, we were also able to close the annual accounts for 2024 with a record turnover of DKK 87.4 million, which is largely due to strong activity within transport, fair pricing for the fishing sector, and a strong internal focus within our organisation on running a healthy business, one that can, among other things, support the forthcoming port expansion.
This reflects the growth that we and the companies operating at the port have experienced over the years, and it reminds us of the great responsibility we carry as an important part of Danish infrastructure. And we can close the accounts for 2025 in the coming year, everything indicates that we will be able to look back on yet another year of positive development for the port.
It seems like we may be able to announce yet another turnover record next year.
Green initiatives
In March this year, we were finally able to inaugurate our newly refurbished Port Office, where the majority of our employees are based. At the peak of the renovation process, almost nothing remained except the outer walls — and the building now feels as good as new.
It was a major task, but everyone who has visited us at the Port Office over the years will recognise that renewal was overdue. The renovation has provided us with more office-friendly facilities, and it has brought a gain on the green front as well, as we can look forward to an expected annual saving of 38,250 kWh in district heating consumption.
In addition, we have celebrated a major milestone this month. In cooperation with Fjord Line, we have established a shore power facility for their ferry Fjord FSTR. The new shore power facility has many benefits. It reduces CO₂ emissions as well as noise, and it strengthens the green infrastructure of Hirtshals.
By 2030, we face a requirement to offer shore power to all larger vessels that remain alongside the quay for more than two hours. Therefore, the shore power facility at Fjord FSTR is an important first step in the broader effort to bring greener options to the ferries in Hirtshals.
Employment impact analysis
At the end of this year, we have been able to introduce the results of a major analysis of the port’s employment effects, which we look forward to presenting further in the coming year.
In brief, I can mention that the employment analysis, prepared by EY, underlines the port’s significant ripple effects, especially within Hjørring Municipality. Among other things, the analysis documents that the activities generated by the port’s existence support as many as 4,735 full-time equivalent jobs in Denmark.
What we help create makes us both humble and proud of the important employment engine that the port’s many stakeholders represent today.
Progress of the port expansion
In mid-2025, we were able to unveil the first step in our port expansion with Nordhavnen. A new 740-metre breakwater is to be constructed, while 240 metres of the old breakwater will be demolished. This will result in improved navigational safety, which is a prerequisite for the port to maintain its position as a central transport hub between the Nordic countries and Europe.
We are now eagerly awaiting approval of our Environmental Impact Assessment report by the Danish Transport Authority, after which 2026 can begin with a bang, as we launch the tender for the first stage of the expansion with Nordhavnen here at the Port of Hirtshals.
Happy Holidays and a joyful New Year.
Per Anholm Nørgaard, CEO at Port of Hirtshals
Port of Hirtshals in 2025:
- Port of Hirtshals’ turnover has increased by 80% since 2009.
- Port of Hirtshals expects to set a new turnover record for 2025.
- Port of Hirtshals expects an annual saving of 38,250 kWh in district heating after the climate-focused renovation of the Port Office.
- A shore power facility has been established for Fjord Line’s ferry Fjord FSTR.
- A new employment impact analysis shows that the port supports 4,735 full-time equivalent jobs in Denmark.
- Stage 1 of the port expansion with Nordhavnen will involve a 740-metre extension of the western breakwater and the demolition of 240 metres of the old breakwater.