Newsletter December 2025
Welcome
by Port Director Mogens Pedersen
Thank you for the positive feedback we have received on the first newsletters. It is important for Hvide Sande Port that we are in such good harmony with the city and users, so I hope that the newsletter can contribute to understanding our priorities.
We are soon entering the new year. The turn of the year marks a new election period for the board of Hvide Sande Port. The following will sit on the board for the next 4 years: Steen Davidsen, Richard Hvas, Hans Schneider, Lisbeth Valther, and Thomas Rahbek Sloth from the Southwest Jutland Fishermen's Association. Additionally, Carsten Bjerg and Lennart Qvist have been appointed by the municipal council. The board will constitute itself on January 30, 2026.
The turn of the year also marks that Hvide Sande Port has an anniversary as a municipal self-governing port – 25 years. The port has only had two chairmen in all those years. In this newsletter, you can read about the difficult negotiations that were held back then around the turn of the millennium regarding how the port transitioned from being a state port to becoming a municipal self-governing port.
Before the turn of the year, it will be Christmas – from all of us at Hvide Sande Port, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hvide Sande Port 25 years
By: Iver Enevoldsen
I have been asked to provide some reflections in relation to the above.
At the end of 1998, a report on the future structure of state ports was published, and the harbor law committee submitted its recommendation on the subject.
Based on the report/recommendation, we in the municipal council began discussing the future organization of Hvide Sande Port.
We were of course in contact with the other ports on the west coast to have a united strategy in negotiations with the Ministry of Transport.
The development in fishing was not favorable, so there were many considerations to be made. Among others, whether the port's economy in the long run would become a burden for Holmsland Municipality.
The municipality set up a working group that represented a broad commercial spectrum, where we discussed the pros and cons.
The initial mood was that it would be good to become "masters of our own house" and thereby also gain some more development opportunities on the port's lands.
Of course, we also needed to investigate the condition of the port, especially the quays, and we received good help from people who were knowledgeable about these matters.
The citizens and the fishermen's association were involved in the discussion, and there was generally support for the municipality to take over the port on the condition that it made economic sense.
We negotiated on several occasions with the transport ministers Sonja Mikkelsen and Jacob Buksti and reached an agreement. We negotiated that Holmsland Municipality would receive DKK 8 million to take over the port to finance maintenance work and restructuring.
A reasonable agreement which a large majority in the municipal council approved.
In hindsight, I can state that it was right for the municipality to take over the port.
It has provided entirely different development opportunities for Hvide Sande Port and for the local community.
Did you know that: activities at Hvide Sande Port have direct and indirect significance for 1,496 jobs (annual work) in 2024 across Denmark.
What is happening at the port?
We are continuously trying to develop and improve the port's facilities and infrastructure and always have a range of activities ongoing.
The project to establish a new quay 109 is well underway after a contract was signed with the construction company CG Jensen in October. The area behind Vattenfall is currently a construction site - the preliminary work involving the relocation of various utilities (electricity, district heating, water, sewage, fiber, etc.) is almost completed so that they are placed outside the new land area that will be part of the new quay. In early 2026, work on driving sheet piles will begin, after which the actual construction of the entire area will start. We expect the quay to be finished and ready for inauguration in October 2026 (Drawing shows the new quay area).
As part of the continued development of the port's strategic opportunities, work has been initiated to develop the northwest harbor area (the sandpit behind the west harbor) into a storage area for various types of goods, project goods, etc. The usage options will be very flexible depending on customer needs for storage. The area is approximately 30,000 and is initially designed for a load capacity of 18 tons/m2. Initially, the area will be projected and a tender will be carried out, after which a final decision will be made on initiating the task.
To meet the increasing need for more parking spaces on Beddingsvej by Hvide Sande Shipyard, an application has been initiated with Ringkøbing Skjern Municipality for permission to relocate 5 tool sheds. When the permission is granted, hopefully starting in 2026, work on establishing a new parking area is expected to begin.
Hvide Sande Port has received renewed ISO certifications for the standards 9001 (quality), 14001 (environment), and 45001 (occupational health and safety) for a new 3-year period. Certification is an essential part of our work to provide proper quality to our customers and to focus on the environment and not least the working environment at Hvide Sande Port.
The mermaids bath every day all year round. They are two teams, who bathe at 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock. They meet in the parking lot at Bølgen 5 minutes early and decide whether to bathe from the beach or in the entrance. It depends on the wind and weather and of course the season. From May to October, bathing only takes place from the beach, while from October to May they have the option to bathe in the entrance when the port has placed the bathing line out.
By the bathing line, there is a shed for changing. The changing shed has been expanded for the 2025 season.
There are about 25 mermaids who bathe regularly and also a few individuals who have summer houses and come and bathe during holidays and weekends.
Twice a year, the mermaids eat together at one of the town's eateries. They have a Facebook group "Havfruerne," where they can keep each other updated.
Dredging
At its board meeting on December 5, it was decided that an application should be made for a dredging to 8 meters in the entrance. Currently, the depth is "only" 7 meters. It is a consideration that the board has had over a longer period. We observe that ships are steadily getting larger and require more depth. Therefore, we can almost certainly state that we have lost tasks in 2025 due to the lack of depth. We believe that to continue being able to develop the port particularly in relation to goods, but also offshore wind and fishing, a greater depth in the entrance is important. As most probably know, the navigation conditions are difficult everywhere on the west coast because the sand shifts around in the entrances when it blows. Therefore, it also costs a considerable amount for the port, and in 2032 they will assess whether it would be worthwhile to maintain a depth of 8 meters in the long run.
Remember: New Year's reception on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Henning's anecdotes: Quays at Hvide Sande Port and the right and wrong side!
In recent years, we have worked to establish a new quay at the West Harbor. The project for quay 109 was put out to tender in August, and it has been decided that C.G. Jensen will build the new quay.
The quay will be built in the area where the old security was made in 1915, and already on the first day, the excavation presented surprises. The excavator that was removing blocks ran into a hole.
The hole was an old tank that had been used by Hvide Sande Fishmeal Factory, the tank can be seen in a picture from 1958.
But when were the quays actually built since the opening of the ports in 1931, and how has the port developed.
Already after the opening of the sluice, the first fishermen began using the new Hvide Sande as a port; it was not intended to be a port, but rather that the northern part of the sluice could be used as a storage space by the fishermen.
However, the fishermen did not agree; they wanted a port with proper berths.
However, the fishermen were not in agreement; fishermen from the southern side wanted the port on the south side, and fishermen from the northern side wanted it on the north side of the sluice. The disagreement led to many discussions, and after a meeting on November 9, the district engineer stated, "The war is still raging between North and South."
“The war” is probably still ongoing; there is still discussion about what is the right and wrong side of the sluice, but we'll have to take that another time! (but the north side is indeed the right side).
The first quay for fishing was finished in 1935 when Langelinje was built together with a slipway. The next quays that were constructed were on the west side in Mamrelund in 1935 and 1937.
The first quays in the south harbor were established in the 1950s, Århus quay, berths for the protection of the harbor, and space for the lifeboat and the quay at Frydendahl.
In the early 1970s, the North Harbor was established; the first quay was at Hvide Sande Fishmeal Factory in 1970, where the unloading of industrial fish was moved from the sluice to the new quay. In the following years, two piers were constructed, and in 1975 the Vodbinder pier and quay 98 were built in 1977.
There were plans at the time to expand the harbor up into the heath on the other side of Fabriksvej, but the development in fishing stagnated, and there was no need for additional space.
In 2011, the largest expansion of Hvide Sande Port began; the northern discharge mole was extended by 70 meters, and a new southern mole of 700 meters was constructed. The construction of the new moles made it possible to dredge to initially 6 meters in the entrance, compared to the previous 4.5 meters. Subsequently, the new West Harbor of 150 meters was built and taken into use in 2014.
And now comes quay 109, with a large flexible hinterland close to the quay.
Did you know that: activities at Hvide Sande Port produce goods and services worth DKK 4.0 billion, of which DKK 2.2 billion is in Ringkøbing Skjern Municipality!
Why should we sort waste and how do we do it?
As part of Hvide Sande Port's strategic objectives, we are constantly working on better waste sorting. As much waste as possible should be reused/recycled, and the amounts of combustible waste and, not least, landfill waste should be minimized.
We continuously follow up on the development in the various waste amounts, which through various initiatives should contribute to lower CO2 emissions. In 2026, we expect to implement the opportunity to sort waste from fishing with a quay-side sorting system, where environmental stations will be set up at different locations in the port areas.
Have you heard: that activities at Hvide Sande Port contribute DKK 460 million to the public sector in the form of personal and corporate taxes. DKK 90 million in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality.
Budget 2026
The board approved the budget for 2026 at its meeting on December 5. The budget shows a profit of DKK 4.2 million and a balance of DKK 46.1 million. There is no provision in the budget for costs related to further dredging of the fairway, but should this be initiated in 2026, it will affect the accounts.
There are no prospects for significant changes in the rates compared to 2025 beyond normal adjustments in relation to price and wage increases, as outlined in various contracts. However, electricity prices will decrease, as expenses in this area have been somewhat lower for the port than anticipated.
One might wonder why a municipally owned port should be profitable. But firstly, we do not receive a share of the tax revenues that a municipality receives. Secondly, Hvide Sande Port has considerable capital expenses related to the establishment of the new Northwest Quay and preparation of the backland areas at the West Harbor as well as the upcoming dredging to 8 meters. Thirdly, the port spends a bit more on activities that can support our identity as the Town's port, and finally, fourth, there must also be funds to address the damages and repairs needed on the port's quay installations, etc.
See the new rates on our website, Rate sheet 2026
Key Numbers
The quantity of landed industrial fish in the first 10 months of 2025 is 35,000 tons; in 2024, it was 37,000.
In the quantity of goods over the quay, 121,000 tons were unloaded over the quay in 2025, a slight decrease compared to 2024.
Construction materials, rubble, and gravel are the dominant category in 2025.
Sluice Island and Swing Bridge
As mentioned in the last newsletter, a tender is now underway to find possible investors for Sluice Island – the large area west of Søndergade between the two sluices.
The tender period runs until mid-January, after which it is hoped that in April an agreement can be reached with an investor for the development of the area.
At the same time, Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality is looking for architects and engineers to develop a concrete proposal for the design of a "Town Square" in the southernmost part of Sluice Island and the swing bridge that will connect the extension of Bredgade with Sluice Island. The "Town Square" will probably resemble a plaza and should provide a cozy break for both citizens and tourists. The swing bridge is for cyclists and pedestrians, and unlike most other bridges, it will be able to open by swinging west into the harbor so that the passage through Kammerslusen remains unchanged.
Remember to follow us on Facebook: Facebook - Port of Hvide Sande
New Year's Reception 2026
Hvide Sande Port, Southwest Jutland Fishermen's Association, and Hvide Sande Service Group are pleased to invite you to a New Year's reception on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Come and hear about what we are working on at Hvide Sande Port, and learn about the opportunities in fishing and how good cooperation can be between tourism, fishing, and the port. Afterwards, Svend Brinkmann will give a presentation on "Happiness and the Good Life."
· Has happiness always been something we strive for, or has it become an obligation?
· Is happiness something we should achieve to live a good life, or has it become an expectation and an obligation in a productive society?
1:00-1:15 PM: News from the fishing sector, by chairman of the Southwest Jutland Fishermen's Association, Thomas Rahbek Sloth
1:15-1:30 PM: What is happening at Hvide Sande Port with Port Director Mogens Pedersen
1:30-2:00 PM: Observations about Hvide Sande in connection with the startup of Jyllands-Aquarium by Michael Madsen, Jyllands-Aquarium.
2:00-2:15 PM: Coffee
2:15-3:50 PM: Svend Brinkmann, professor of psychology. "Happiness and the Good Life"
3:50-4:00 PM: Conclusion
Open to all, participation is free.
The New Year's reception will be held at Fiskeriets Hus, Nørregade 2b, Hvide Sande.
Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/gG72FmsKGR or to Åse at aat@hvshavn.dk
