Esbjerg Harbour topped the national list for shrimp landings in 2025, with a total of 653 tonnes of brown shrimp landed during the year.
It was the highest volume recorded at any Danish harbour and the second-highest annual total in Esbjerg since 2018, according to figures from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.
The result puts Esbjerg at the top nationwide, despite fishing playing a minor role in the city than in previous decades. The harbour’s facilities are cited as a key reason for the strong performance.
Harbour facilities drive landings
Modern floating pontoons and upgraded infrastructure at Esbjerg Harbour have helped improve both safety and working conditions for shrimp fishers. These improvements are highlighted as a primary factor behind the high landing volumes.
Thomas Rahbek Sloth, chairman of the South West Jutland Fishermen’s Association, says the new facilities have made a clear difference for the fleet using the harbour. He points to better access and safer conditions when vessels are alongside.
Safety gains in tidal waters
Esbjerg is located in a tidal area where water levels can change significantly. The floating pontoons move with the tide, reducing the risk for crews when boarding and leaving vessels.
According to Sloth, this means fishers no longer have to put themselves in danger when water levels rise or fall. He describes this as a significant advantage in a harbour like Esbjerg.
More upgrades planned
The floating pontoons are part of a wider development plan for the harbour area. Further projects are planned, including modern unloading and transhipment facilities for shrimp, new cold storage rooms and relocation and optimisation of the ice plant.
Cold storage is expected to give fishers more flexibility, as they will be less dependent on landing at specific times when lorries are present, while still maintaining high product quality.