The fairway to Denmark’s Port Esbjerg has now been fully deepened. The upgrade enables access for larger vessels, increased cargo volumes and new opportunities in both the energy and defence sectors.
In total, 3.7 million cu m of seabed material has been removed as part of the project, increasing the water depth from 9.3 m to 12.8 m. “This is a milestone that strengthens our position as an international hub for logistics and energy,” said Dennis Jul Pedersen, ceo of Port Esbjerg.
The increased depth allows the port to accommodate significantly larger and heavier vessels. It now expects to double its cargo volume over the next decade. Moreover, future offshore wind installation vessels and components are becoming larger and heavier. The new fairway should allow the port to maintain its position as Europe’s leading port for offshore wind shipments.
The deeper draught will also allow the port to receive larger ro-ro and military vessels. This significantly enhances the port’s strategic importance to NATO and enables faster and more efficient response during periods of heightened readiness, it said. “We are already seeing that several partners and companies within the maritime sector are in need of ports that can accommodate significantly larger vessels. This is no longer something lying in the future – it is here and now. And now, Port Esbjerg is ready,” Jul Pedersen added.
Earlier this month, HLPFI reported on Port Esbjerg’s expansion progress, along with its newly-formed partnership with Windport.
