High demands, major needs, rapid development, great success, and the production of ever-larger offshore wind components are part of everyday life at the Port of Odense. Space and growth play a decisive role in our success. It has always been a core principle for us to be prepared for the demands our customers will place tomorrow, and the needs and demand of companies are accelerating rapidly. Today, the future already occupies the vast majority of the Port of Odense’s prepared areas, and the shortage of space at ports is critical across Europe.

As one of Denmark’s leading ports, we play a key role in developing the necessary infrastructure to ensure that Danish companies can continue to grow and compete in global markets. It is therefore essential to expand production and storage capacity at the port, enabling customers to keep pace with market demand. In doing so, green energy production — and thousands of direct and indirect jobs — can remain in Denmark.

A deeper navigation channel, requiring an investment of approximately DKK 800 million, and a port expansion of more than DKK 1 billion (cost estimates based on assessments by SWECO) will create vital capacity to support, among other things, the installation of up to 450 GW of offshore wind power in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Thorough preparation

A great deal of expertise is required to ensure that the necessary considerations for opportunities, the environment, and living conditions are addressed in projects of this scale. In 2022, the Port of Odense was awarded DKK 15 million from the EU’s CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) funding programme for new transport initiatives in Europe, as part of a so-called CEF Study call, which supports preliminary studies for future infrastructure projects.

Baseline studies on land and at sea have already been completed by external experts. The environmental impact assessment has been finalised, incorporating analyses of soil and water composition, substance content, and the flora and fauna of the area. Care is taken to ensure that companies are able to develop their businesses in balance with the surrounding environment.

The projects ensure that the Port of Odense lives up to its promise of accommodating a world in growth by being able to host and handle larger, faster, and more efficient production and installation of offshore wind turbines in Europe — as well as the continued development of maritime businesses and new products.

Public involvement

The projects were subject to a preliminary public consultation during the period from 21 August to 6 September 2025. A public meeting was held on 15 August 2025 at Munkebo Kulturhus. At the meeting, the projects and the subsequent regulatory approval process were presented. Citizens then had the opportunity to ask questions both in the plenary session and at dialogue stations staffed by specialists.

Regulatory approval process

Based on the completed studies (EIA), the public consultation, and the comments submitted by citizens, the authorities — together with the Port of Odense and its advisers — are currently planning the next stages of the process.