Denmark´s largest commercial port Aarhus came out of 2022 with the largest cargo turnover in fourteen years and makes Danish history with a new Danish record for container turnover. The total profit from port operations amounts to DKK 161 million.
The year 2022 was an eventful year with the war in Ukraine, energy crisis and sky-high inflation. This could also be felt at the Port of Aarhus. It was also a year in which the port’s application for a port expansion filled a lot.
“In many ways it has been an eventful and completely unpredictable year. The global challenges became local. Security of supply and defence security came seriously on the agenda. This was also the case at the Port of Aarhus. That is why I am proud that we are coming out of the year with such strong result”, says Thomas Haber Borch, CEO at Aarhus Havn.
In 2022, the Port of Aarhus had the largest total cargo turnover in fourteen years. 11,047,319 tons of goods were sent over the quay. This is an increase of 9% compared to 2021. Together with the companies, the port also delivers a new Danish record for container turnover. In 2022, a total of 756,757 20-foot containers were lifted over the quay.
“The board is pleased that the Port of Aarhus, together with the business community, has delivered progress in all business areas. It is an important reminder that the Port of Aarhus is the port of all of Denmark, supporting the green transition, creating jobs and progress for the benefit of both citizens in Aarhus and the entire country”, says the port’s board chairman Jacob Bundsgaard.
The need for a port expansion grew throughout the year
In 2022, the lack of space at the port increased, and Aarhus Port’s application for a port expansion filled a lot of public and political debate.
“We have also spent a lot of time in 2022 on our application for a port expansion. There is no doubt that the interest in the expansion is great and that the waves have gone high. We have had to deal with this both internally among our employees and together with the companies. Therefore, I am very satisfied that a broad political majority chose to take responsibility for the development and future-proofing of the port with an agreement on a port expansion of Aarhus Harbour”, says Thomas Haber Borch.
Important steps towards becoming the Baltic Sea area’s most sustainable port
The Port of Aarhus has a goal of becoming the Baltic Sea area’s most sustainable and CO2-neutral port by 2030. In 2022, the port took further steps in that direction and achieved a CO2 reduction of 18% compared to 2021.
“As Denmark’s largest commercial port, we have a special responsibility to be at the forefront of the green area. We have ambitious goals, and despite the very high level of activity at the port in 2022, we took important steps towards achieving the goals,” says Thomas Haber Borch.
