Hanstholm to treble in size

Creation date: 28 July 2009

- € 150m plan to make port "Europe's" No 1

THE DANISH port of Hanstholm has unveiled an ambitious development plan worth DKK 1 billion (€150 million) to make it "the leading fishing port in Europe".

The plan, which is scheduled to be fully completed in 2016, will be treble size of the outer lining of the harbour and give fishing vessels a dedicated inner section of the port.

Hanstholm's outer piers will be re-located, giving the port a new look, improving navigational conditions and allowing more goods over the quays.

The development will also focus on the shipping and the energy industries, with plans to make Hanstholm a centre for wave energy.

Peter Nymann, the port's technical manager, tells FNI: "What we'll be getting is a port that is built for the future for the fishing industry. Our fishing vessels have been increasing in size in the last few years and, if this continues, we might have had a problem in 10-15 years to accommodate the ships arriving at the port.

"One f the other problems is that the water in the port are not calm enough. The new port is designed with a special section for the fishing vessels where alle the vessels will enjoy calm water".

Birgitte Juhl, generel manager of the port, outlined the visionss of the development plan in a launch meetning in June. She explained that " the port og Hanstholm is to be developed from being the leading fishing port in Denmark to become the leading fishing port in entire Europe - with a contionuous focus on food safety."

The development will take place in several stages with an itinerary that will be adjusted as new possibilities arise.

Britta Vang Mikkelsen og Hanstholm Havneforum, an association of 80 companies around the port, tells FNI: " Immediate projects in the existing harbour will begin in August. Then, the businesss plan for the new harbour will start in November and by April 2010 the technical and financial plans will be finished.

"Subsequently the pre-work and the environmental investigation will start so that the plan will be finished in April 11. The end of the schedule is 2016."

Hanstholm's managers are currently entering a dialogue with the EU regarding funding of the project. It is hoped that up to 40% of specific sections of the development will be EU-funded. 

Fishing News International, By Ewen Cook.