Esbjerg Havn udvider med 570.000 kvadratmeter
The Port of Esbjerg has completed another stage of its expansion and is now adding 570,000 square meters of new area in the eastern part of the port. The expansion makes it possible to take in larger ships and marks an important milestone for the port's role in both freight transport and the green transition. This is what the Port of Esbjerg writes in a press release.
– The Port of Esbjerg is of international importance. This expansion is crucial for us to be able to further enhance the green transition and ensure the best framework for the companies at the port, says Dennis Jul Pedersen, Director of the Port of Esbjerg.
The need for more space is driven by three central activities: shipping offshore wind, establishing a CO2 terminal and handling modular cargo. Four-fifths of the European offshore wind capacity is shipped from Esbjerg, corresponding to 27.5 GW. Over the next five years, a further 13.5 GW of offshore wind is to be installed via Esbjerg, mainly from projects in Germany and England.
The new areas will also house Denmark's first CO2 terminal, which will be Europe's first full-scale CCS plant. The terminal is to be completed by the end of 2025 and will store CO2 underground in the North Sea.
The 570,000 square meters will be ready for lease at the end of the year. The expansion is to strengthen the companies' operations and support the goal of efficient handling of modular cargo. With routes to 27 European ports and over 4.5 million tons of cargo annually, the Port of Esbjerg is today Denmark's largest RoRo port.
The expansion has been done with the environment in mind. The materials from the dredging have been continuously tested for contamination, and no dumping of seabed materials has taken place.
– We are very proud that the expansion has been carried out with respect for the environment and in the most environmentally friendly way by utilizing the cleaned material in the best way, says Dennis Jul Pedersen.
The new area of 93 hectares consists of 74 hectares withdrawn from the sea territory and an adjacent area of 19 hectares. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and new warehouses will be built to meet demand.
At the same time, E. Bank Lauridsen Holding A/S will become a co-owner of the port's property company. The decision was formally approved at the city council meeting last night.
– E. Bank Lauridsen Holding A/S will be our first co-owner and we are incredibly happy that it will be them. They are locals with great activity and interest in the city, the port and its further development, says Dennis Jul Pedersen.
At E. Bank Lauridsen Holding A/S, it is assessed that the port has a strong position within offshore activities, and the investment fits into the company's strategy.
– We have a desire to diversify our portfolio of investments in properties, and we see great potential in the Port of Esbjerg. At the same time, the port is run by visionary and decent people. We look forward to being able to support the general development of the port together, and also contribute with our experience within property development, investment and operation, says Per Bank Lauridsen, on behalf of the family behind the company.
This is the first step in a strategy to invite more external investors into the port's property company.
– There are many good reasons to grow together. We plan to have more people participate in this, says Dennis Jul Pedersen.
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