THISTED: The economic crisis has long been affecting the Port of Hanstholm. And now the port's debt of 630 million. DKK. is also having an impact on its operations. At a meeting of the municipal council on Tuesday, it was unanimously decided that the Port of Hanstholm should transition from being an autonomous port to becoming a municipal port. The municipality announced this in a press release.
- It is a frustrating situation to witness that the finances of the Port of Hanstholm have not been under control, not least because it will inevitably have negative consequences for the municipality's finances, says Mayor Niels Jørgen Pedersen (V) about the decision.
The debt is due to a large port expansion in 2017, which the port's operations have not been able to bear, as it has not yet generated new revenue. The latest accounts showed a deficit of 17 million. DKK and the port's chairman Michael Svane, who took office in May, has previously called the situation "violent" and worse than expected.
Takeover reopens budget negotiations
A takeover means that Thisted Municipality takes over the operation of the port. At the same time, the port's finances are fully integrated into the municipality's finances.
This also means that Hanstholm Port's overdraft must be repaid, which requires an additional grant of DKK 63 million. If the port's operations are continued with the current financial starting point, Thisted Municipality faces a cash draw of a total of DKK 175 million by the end of 2025.
The politicians are aware that a reopening and revision of the budget is necessary and will leave its mark on the municipality in the coming years.
- This will inevitably mean that we will have to cut the budget to an extent that will be noticeable. This requires that we stand together to find realistic and sustainable solutions, but I also believe that we can, says Niels Jørgen Pedersen.
Want to have conditions investigated
After the new board of directors of Hanstholm Port took office just over six months ago, it has become clear that the port's finances were under strong pressure. In addition, conditions have been identified that may require liability.
- We in the municipal council have a strong focus on having stronger management of Hanstholm Port. This also means that we are investigating whether there are conditions in the financial management of the port that can form the basis for claiming liability, says the mayor.
Although the future of Hanstholm Port with Tuesday's decision may seem very dim, Niels Jørgen Pedersen believes that it is possible to turn the negative situation into something positive. The solution lies, among other things, in in offshore wind, Power-to-X and CO2 storage.
- Right now we are in a difficult situation, but we also know that there are great opportunities in the green transition, there is the possibility of CO2 storage off Hanstholm, there are offshore wind farms on the way, there is Power-to-X, there is production of new fuels. There are many good opportunities out there, they are working on getting wind turbines up at the harbor, so I guess the future is bright, even though it looks a bit dark now, the mayor says to TV Midtvest.
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