Well-Attended New Year's Reception at Hvide Sande Harbor

Hvide Sande Harbour held a New Year's reception on Friday, February 9, in collaboration with the Sydvestjysk Fishermen's Association and Hvide Sande Service Group. It was a well-attended event where the Harbour's customers and stakeholders got an insight into the harbour's upcoming investments and opportunities. The afternoon was initiated and sharply moderated by the former editor-in-chief of Ekstra Bladet, Poul Madsen, who, with a cheerful presentation on Danish politics and his work at Ekstra Bladet, could draw parallels to the unpredictable yet exciting times an industrial harbour like Hvide Sande Harbour is in and facing.

Interim harbour director Steen Davidsen presented Hvide Sande Harbour's land use plan and investment plans for the coming years, which includes new facilities for better conditions for fishing in the South Harbour, new quay arrangements for cargo and Offshore SOV ships in the West Harbour, renovation of the auction hall, preparation of Sluseøen for new activities, etc. Plans have been made for investments of up to 100 million kroner in new infrastructure by 2030.

Thomas Rahbek Sloth from the Sydvestjysk Fishermen's Association informed about the main points from the Fisher Commission's new report and its implications for fishing from Hvide Sande, both consequences, but most importantly, the positive aspects and opportunities for the development of fishing. Torben Lindberg Strømgaard from Hvide Sande Service Group talked about the association's purposes and initiatives that have been taken and will take place in the coming years. This offers exciting opportunities for development and collaboration. 

Following this, there were 3 exciting external presentations from the harbour's various business areas. Annette Bruhn from Aarhus University presented perspectives from the Win@Sea project in the Baltic Sea, where they are testing aquaculture within the Kriekers Flak offshore wind farm with test facilities producing mussels and seaweed (sugar kelp, eelgrass, sea lettuce, and savin). A project with relatively large commercial perspectives for opportunities in the areas off Hvide Sande in the North Sea, with production, harvesting, and processing/sales on and from Hvide Sande Harbour. Both for consumption but especially also as proteins for example in animal feed. 

Torben Kylling Petersen, the newly appointed director for Destination Vesterhavet, reported about yet another record year for Hvide Sande and the area in terms of overnight stays. Only Visit Copenhagen as a destination has more annual overnight stays than Destination Vesterhavet (but only if they count Danish guests). The marketing of the local area Hvide Sande is very important in the destination's efforts to promote tourism. The authentic environment around Hvide Sande Harbour is extremely important for attracting tourists, and the new tourism director did not hesitate to praise Hvide Sande Harbour for its courage in having a mission to be an "open and vibrant harbour". This is crucial for succeeding with tourism in the area. 

Mikkel Schmidt from Baltic Shipping Company provided insights into the market for Short Sea Shipping, particularly perspectives regarding the upcoming road charge, but also a greater focus on ESG reporting where CO2 emissions are becoming increasingly prominent. This will lead to even more cargo being moved from the roads to ships, benefiting Hvide Sande Harbour's opportunities for more cargo at the quays in the future. Annually, about 200,000 tons of cargo pass through Hvide Sande harbour.

Before the concluding debate, chairman Hans Schneider introduced Hvide Sande Harbour's upcoming harbour director Mogens Pedersen, who will take office on March 1, 2024. Mogens comes with extensive experience as a former technical director in Ringkøbing-Skjern municipality and most recently over 10 years as municipal director in Varde Municipality. Mogens looks forward to the job, getting started, and meeting the harbour's customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

Before the New Year's reception concluded with bubbles and kransekage, Poul Madsen posed sharp questions to all presenters in a panel debate format, where discussions included opportunities for good collaborations between fishing and the opportunities from Win@Sea's project, as well as the possibilities to continue shaping and operating an open and vibrant harbour in Hvide Sande for the benefit of the entire local area and all business sectors.