Newsletter September 2025
Welcome
Welcome to the 2nd edition of our newsletter. Thank you for the kind remarks about the 1st edition, which was published in June. We will strive to meet your expectations.
Our purpose is to inform users of the Harbor and others interested in the harbor about the major and minor events at the Harbor.
The newsletter is sent out to a number of email addresses and is also distributed via our website. If you as a reader would like to be added to the mailing list, please let us know; see the email address at the end of the newsletter. If you would prefer to stop receiving the newsletter, please also let us know.
What's happening at the harbor
In the last couple of years, we have been working to establish a new quay at Vesthavnen. The project for quay 109 was put out for tender in August, and now the harbor's board has approved that we can get started on the construction work. However, before construction can begin, we need to have the necessary government approvals in place. We expect the quay to be completed by the end of 2026.
The harbor established a new floating bridge on Otto Pedersvej this spring, creating a small marina reserved for pleasure boats. We have received praise from various sources for the initiative. It has also been a great success over the summer and contributes to making Otto Pedersvej an attractive gathering point for locals and visitors.
Improved lighting has been established in central working areas, including diesel distribution, industrial quay, and trawl stretch, which contributes to increased safety and better working conditions for the fishing industry.
In August, new asphalt was laid on quay 81 and quay 81a to improve conditions for those working at the quays.
The challenges we have had with the Eiva buoy now seem to be resolved in collaboration with the supplier, and the buoy has functioned perfectly in recent months.
To meet the growing need for more parking spaces on Beddingsvej by Hvide Sande Shipyard, plans are in place to relocate 5 tool sheds, allowing for the expansion of the existing parking area. The relocation is expected to be completed during October.
The tenants of the tool sheds at Tyskerhavnen have been contacted regarding cleaning up around the sheds and repairing the buildings that need some loving care. The harbor will continually follow up to ensure that the work progresses as planned.
Winter bathers have requested a small extension to the existing changing room, which the harbor has addressed. Work will commence as soon as possible.
The drainage sluice has undergone a major renovation inside and now looks freshly painted. In a short time, the old floor tiles will be cleaned so that they also appear in very good condition.
We have established environmental stations at our night parking areas, which we feel work really well, while also supporting our waste sorting and enhancing the harbor's environmental profile.
Key figures August 2025
There is progress in the landed amount of industrial fish in the first 8 months, from 21,200 tons in 2024 to 29,500 tons in 2025.
Landings and value of fish at auction have decreased in the first 8 months compared to 2024, almost halving the landed amount. For shrimp fishing, there have been landings down 25% compared to the same period last year.
In the amount of goods over quay, there is a decrease of 9,000 tons compared to 2024; in 2025, 90,000 tons have been unloaded over quay.
Building materials, gravel, and sand are the dominant categories in 2025.
Unexpected guests in Hvide Sande Harbor
As most have likely seen in the press and news, Hvide Sande Harbor was the focus of a case in July and August where an apparently restricted vessel from the Russian shadow fleet sought refuge. According to EU regulations, it is forbidden to receive restricted vessels.
The training ship SHTANDART (a replica of Peter the Great's sailing ship from the 17th century) arrived at Hvide Sande Harbor on July 28, as it had broken a fitting that held the mast on the ship. Therefore, it was a justified request for refuge. The ship departed again on July 30 after having the damages repaired.
Although there were some from various quarters who wanted to imply that the harbor had acted illegally, we were confident that it was completely in accordance with the law for the ship to enter the harbor. It has also been confirmed by the authorities that the harbor acted entirely legally.
Hvide Sande Harbor has had an ongoing dialogue with the authorities regarding the case and has received praise for the proactive approach we have taken to the matter.
However, the case has prompted us to tighten the guidelines to ensure that restricted ships do not enter Hvide Sande Harbor and that we are in dialogue with the authorities on how such vessels are handled.
Did you know that the tender for the new offshore wind farms outside Hvide Sande will commence during the autumn
Tourism in 2025
One of the important activities for Hvide Sande Harbor is tourism, and therefore it is also nice to see from Blåttårn that there has been good activity in the town. We live in a turbulent world, but precisely because of that, the tranquility, coziness, and activity in Hvide Sande are so appealing.
It is no secret that there is some night parking at the harbor, and there have been more campers in 2025 than there were in 2024. But it is also the impression from accommodation agencies that there have been slightly more guests. July was characterized by quite a few Danish visitors, while in recent months it has been the Germans who have shaped the street scene.
It has not been without its problems that the drawbridge over Kammerslusen was renovated here in September. It has caused significant traffic congestion in the town, and some shops have been somewhat affected by this. Fortunately, the bridge is now expected to be ready for another 20 years.
There is also no doubt that parking conditions and signage could certainly be optimized. The parking conditions may never be perfect, but Hvide Sande Harbor has invited the municipality and Hvidesande.by for a discussion to find out what can be done. Already in the spring, we received some good ideas, but if there are any ideas among the readers, we would be happy to hear them.
Henning's anecdotes:
Sumajabugten
Sumajabugten in Mamrelund is best known as a place for houseboats. The bay is located to the east in Mamrelund, where there is a view over Ringkøbing Fjord, but why is it actually called Sumajabugten?
Between 1980 and 2000, fishing in Hvide Sande – just like in the rest of Denmark – underwent a significant change. The introduction of the EU’s quota system and national regulations made it clear that the fleet was too large relative to the available quotas. Decommissioning schemes thus became a central tool: many trawlers had to go out of business, often with heavy consequences for the families who had relied on fishing as their livelihood. The quays, which were previously filled with vessels, gradually became dominated by fewer but larger vessels.
In Hvide Sande, the decommissioning of ships also took place. In the eastern part of Mamrelund, a special area was established for a business specializing in ship decommissioning. In the 1990s, several vessels were decommissioned here, including both fishing vessels and other types of ships.
The last vessel to be decommissioned was “SUMAJA” from Nexø, but unfortunately, the company went bankrupt, and the decommissioning was not completed.
Hvide Sande Harbor was therefore left with a hull without an owner. The superstructure had been removed, leaving only the hull behind. The hull that was moored at the quay unfortunately leaked and required supervision from the harbor guard. When the hull was almost full of water, it had to be pumped with submersible pumps to prevent the ship from sinking. After a few years, it was decided that the harbor would finance the final decommissioning of the ship, and the hull of SUMAJA was finally decommissioned.
And that's where the name Sumajabugten comes from.
After Holmsland Municipality took over the harbor from the National Ports Administration in 2001, the possibility arose to change its use. Sumajabugten was rented out. The bay was dredged, and a mooring space for houseboats was established.
Remember that, the next newsletter will come in January. If you have any suggestions for content, please feel free to write to Mogens at mp@hvshavn.dk
Fishing, Hvide Sande's DNA
Fishermen in Hvide Sande have always been used to coping with adversity – quite literally. In earlier times, it was about the weather. Today, it is largely about regulations, fuel prices, and environmental demands. Especially the latter creates many myths that have no basis in reality.
Trawl fishing has often been condemned as a threat to the marine environment, but the picture is much more nuanced than many believe. Approximately two-thirds of the Danish seabed is never touched by bottom trawling gear, and the trawling that does occur is concentrated in relatively small areas. In fact, three-quarters of all trawl fishing takes place in just ten percent of the Danish ocean area. Trawl fishing primarily occurs on sand and mud bottoms, which are more robust than, for example, areas with stone reefs.
Research shows that the impact on marine life in the affected areas is limited, typically around six percent, and that the seabed has a great ability to recover after being disturbed. The areas where you see dead marine areas without life are often caused by oxygen depletion resulting from nutrients from land and not from trawl fishing.
Furthermore, trawling is only done in deeper waters from about 15–20 meters and outwards, which means that the trawl does not affect eelgrass, which only grows in shallow waters. Some species, such as sea feathers and sea anemones, are more sensitive, and thus special regulations and closed areas have been introduced where trawl fishing is not permitted.
Overall, this paints a picture of a fishing method that is subject to strict regulations and constant technological development to reduce environmental impact while still forming a large part of Danish fishing.
When it comes to the climate impact of our food, fish clearly stands out as one of the most sustainable sources of protein.
Although fishing uses fuel, emissions are significantly lower than the production of meat on land. For example, one kilo of cod caught in the North Sea with a trawl typically emits between two and five kilos of CO₂, while pork emits around six to eight kilos, and beef can emit as much as 25–35 kilos of CO₂ per kilo of meat.
Looking at pelagic species such as herring and mackerel, the climate impact is even lower – often under two kilos of CO₂ – which makes them some of the most climate-friendly proteins we can consume. At the same time, fish do not require agricultural land, fertilizers, or large amounts of fresh water, further supporting the notion of fish as a central part of a more sustainable food supply.
Fishing in Hvide Sande is more than just a business – it is a lifeblood that has created jobs, culture, and identity along the West Coast for generations.
The local fishermen have shown that they can adapt to both the forces of nature and the many demands imposed by society and politicians, while providing one of the most climate-friendly foods we can serve at the table. It is a strength that we as a community can be proud of.
At the same time, it is also our collective task to ensure that fishing continues to have a place in Hvide Sande – not only as a business but as part of the soul of the town. By maintaining fishing here, we also maintain an active and vibrant harbor for the benefit of the town and the local area.
Did you know that on January 1, 2026, it will be 25 years since Holmsland Municipality took over Hvide Sande Harbor
Sluseøen
In mid-October, an exciting tender will be launched here in Hvide Sande, where there will be an opportunity to bid on Sluseøen here in the heart of Hvide Sande. This is a project that has also been talked about and is an integral part of the strategic-physical development plan from 2020 and the overall plan for Hvide Sande from 2024.
Hvide Sande Harbor will lease about 6,000 square meters, and it is our hope that there can be stores, holiday apartments, hotels, or offices on the site. It is important that the construction is also an asset for Hvide Sande. We therefore hope that the construction will have a purpose that ordinary citizens can find joy in.
In the tender material, we suggest a building up to 4 stories. However, we also indicate that it may be possible to build up to 7 stories, but that requires further dialogue with the municipality. This would mean a slightly slimmer construction, allowing for better views over the harbor areas from Søndergade. Additionally, there will be no significant disturbances to neighbors, and on the other side of Søndergade is also a tall building, so it can be advantageous in many ways to build upwards.
It is no secret that this is a noise-sensitive area. Therefore, solutions must be found in connection with any construction to alleviate the noise coming from Søndergade and from nearby businesses.
The building must be elevated so that the owners can be assured that no water enters even during severe storms.
Finally, we will naturally emphasize that the construction should be aesthetically pleasing. The building will have a central location, and therefore it should be a building that everyone can be satisfied to look at.
In connection with the construction, the municipality is erecting a swing bridge from the extension of Bredgade to the southwest corner of Sluseøen, as well as establishing a “City Square” that will function as a plaza in the area between Café Gaflen and Kammerslusen.
We hope that the construction will have the following benefits for the town:
1) There will be a better connection between north and south.
2) There will be opportunities for everyone to benefit from the construction
3) The building will be a pleasant and natural focal point in the town
4) There will be more opportunities for experiences in Hvide Sande
Did you know that activities at Hvide Sande Harbor had direct and indirect significance for 1,496 annual workyears in all of Denmark in 2024.
Congratulations on the anniversary to Seasight Group
2025 has been a milestone year for Seasight Group, which turned 75 this year, and therefore also had an open house at the end of August.
The company is one of the longest-standing customers of Hvide Sande Harbor and has always been a crucial part of the harbor's identity – as a harbor.
In 1950, the company was named Hvide Sande Ship – and Boatbuilding, and back then the task involved building and repairing fishing trawlers. The company's first director was Carl Erik Kristensen, and descendants of him have been involved in the management ever since.
Until the 1980s, fishing was clearly the most important activity, but like many other companies in Hvide Sande, it also showed a remarkable ability to adapt to new markets and realities. In the 1980s, they began to produce the first steel vessels.
During the 1990s, as decreasing quotas and a halt to new constructions in fishing made it difficult for Danish shipyards, Hvide Sande Ship – and Boatbuilding focused on building specialized vessels and attracted early offshore wind activities. Many shipyards in Denmark closed down, while Hvide Sande Ship and Boatbuilding survived through innovation, quality, flexibility, and specialization.
My own first impression of the shipyard came in 1993 when they delivered a large frigate to Tivoli. Since the ship was just supposed to sit in Tivoli's lake, it couldn't really sail, and therefore most of the transport from Hvide Sande took place on a barge. The final stretch in Copenhagen was done over four nights on a slowly moving flatbed truck through the busy streets of the city. Finally, a crane lifted it over the fence into Tivoli, while night walkers witnessed something as rare as a hovering ship. Hvide Sande Ship and Boatbuilding could do many different things!
They also began producing ferries, and by the late 1990s, they started producing CTVs for servicing offshore wind activities. Today, the company consists of Hvide Sande Shipyard, Seasight Solutions, Seasight Davits, and Hvide Sande Agency and Supply. The latter company has an important role for Hvide Sande Harbor as an agent, stevedoring, and loading and unloading of ships in Hvide Sande Harbor.
Since the start in 1950, there have been so many other types of activities and thus income opportunities for Hvide Sande Harbor. Tourism also has great significance for the harbor, and offshore wind will likely also gain importance in the coming years. But precisely because of this, it is important that there is also space and accommodation for the activities that over the years have helped shape Hvide Sande Harbor. Here, Ship and Boatbuilding – Seasight Solutions is an important actor and is still today by far the company that creates the most employment on the premises of Hvide Sande Harbor.
Congratulations on the anniversary.
Out of the 1,496 annual workyears, 670 annual workyears were in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality.
New Year's reception 2026
On Friday, January 16, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM, there will be a New Year's reception at the Fishing House – and you are invited.
The New Year's reception is organized in collaboration with the South-Western Fishing Association and HSSG. There will be an opportunity to hear about the year's events in the fishing industry and at the harbor, and there will be a presentation by Svend Brinkmann, who is a professor of general psychology at Aalborg University and is known for several books and is also an avid public debater.
Participation in the event will be free.
A formal invitation will be sent out later, but if you write to the email address at the end of the newsletter, you can secure your spot now. The event is open to all interested.