Denmark is strategically located in North Sea and Baltic Sea. This makes Denmark’s sea ports a strategic asset for its international trade.

If you are exporting or importing via sea freight, probably, you would like to know the most convenient port for you shipping.

In this article, we will explore top 11 busiest ports in Denmark. Then later, we will also have a list of other small ports.

Let’s dive right in.

Busiest Ports in Denmark

The Danish seem to have a lot going for them with their sea ports being great too. Here is a list of the busiest and less busy ports in Denmark and vital information about them. Let’s delve in.

1. Port of Aarhus

Port Location: On the East Coast of Jutland, Aarhus
Port Code: DKAAR
Port Handling Capacity: Can handle up to 10 million tons of cargo yearly
Port Management: Port of Aarhus Authority (Aarhus Havn)

The Port of Aarhus in Denmark is a major port with both domestic and international trade facilities, mostly with the North Sea. Being one of the busiest ports in the country, it connects quite a number of destinations in the Baltics and Scandinavia.

Also, it is Denmark’s largest container traffic port. Since 1857 when it was established, the port has been enhanced gradually till date. Currently, it has modern facilities to meet passenger and cargo services easily. It also has an active and exciting cruise terminal.

2. Port of Copenhagen (Copenhagen Malmö Port or CMP)

Port Location: At the southern tip of Zealand, linked to Malmö, Sweden, Copenhagen
Port Code: DKCPH
Port Handling Capacity: Handles approximately 4.5 million tons of cargo yearly. Also serves over 300,000 cruise passengers annually.
Port Management: Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP)

The Port of Copenhagen is not just a major center for freight or shipping. It is also the main hub for Scandinavian cruise traffic. Since 2001 when the two ports Copenhagen and Malmö were merged together, the Copenhagen Port has served as the pathway for import and export in Denmark.

In the Baltic region, the cruise terminal of the Copenhagen Port is one of the busiest. It has thousands of tourists coming in annually. Also, it has great rail and road routes to smoothen domestic distributions.

3. Port of Esbjerg

Port Location: Along the North Sea, On the Southwestern coast of Jutland, Esbjerg
Port Code: DKEBG
Port Handling Capacity: Handles around 7 million tons of cargo such as project cargo, bulk, and offshore equipment annually.
Port Management: Port of Esbjerg Authority

With several years of operation (1868), the Port of Esbjerg handles large amounts of containers, general cargo, and bulk cargo. It is also the main port in the Denmark oil and offshore wind energy industries. The Port of Esbjerg has unique terminals for handling oversized and heavy project cargos. It also plays a pivotal role for passenger ferry traffic, with services to the UK.

4. Port of Fredericia

Port Location: Near the Little Belt strait, on the east coast of Jutland, Fredericia
Port Code: DKFRE
Port Handling Capacity: Capable of handling about 3 million tons of cargo, which include bulk goods, containers, and industrial products yearly.
Port Management: Fredericia Port Authority

The Port of Fredericia is one of the ports in Denmark that has a great location. Its location makes it have direct access to the major European trade routes through the Little Belt strait. Apart from its international routes, it also has great road and rail connections to the central parts of Denmark to make domestic trading easy too. It was established in 1863.

5. Port of Aalborg

Port Location: Along the Limfjord, in the Northern part of Jutland, Aalborg
Port Code: DKAAL
Port Handling Capacity: Capable of handling about 3.5 million tons of cargo yearly which include containers, industrial goods, and commodities.
Port Management: Port of Aalborg Authority

For regional ferry services, this port is most important. Since 1869, the port has been the major port for goods distribution across Scandinavia and Northern Denmark. The port has unique facilities for handling containers and bulk cargo. This makes it a major hub for the region’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.

6. Port of Kalundborg

Port Location: On the western coast of Zealand, Kalundborg
Port Code: DKALB
Port Handling Capacity: Able to handle averagely 3 million tons of cargo which focuses more on energy related products and bulk goods.
Port Management: Kalundborg Port Authority

In the area of bulk chemicals and oil shipping, the Port of Kalundborg is the main port in Denmark. The port has an excellent location and plays a major role in handling these raw materials to keep the industrial sector of Denmark thriving. It was established in 1873.

7. Port of Hirtshals

Port Location: In the northern part of Jutland, Hirtshals
Port Code: DKHIR
Port Handling Capacity: Has capacity handling of approximately 2 million tons of cargo each year. This includes general goods, ferry traffic, and containers.
Port Management: Hirtshals Port Authority

The Hirtshals Port is a primary ferry port that plays a pivotal role in passenger transportation to the Faroe Islands, the United Kingdom and Norway. It has been in existence since 1860 and also handles fish products trading to enhance the Denmark fishing industry.

8. Port of Helsingør

Port Location: At the entrance to the Oresund Strait, in the northeastern part of Zealand, Helsingør
Port Code: DKHEL
Port Handling Capacity: Is capable of handling up to 1 million tons of cargo, with facilities to handle general cargo and Ro-Ro.
Port Management: Port of Helsingør Authority

The Helsingør Port is mainly known to have the best ferry traffic which links Denmark to Sweden. Since 1420, it has and continues to serve as a transit point for cargo going through the Oresund Strait.

9. Port of Odense

Port Location: In Central Denmark, on the island of Funen, Odense
Port Code: DKODE
Port Handling Capacity: Averagely 1.2 million tons of cargo annually with focus on industrial products and containers.
Port Management: Port of Odense Authority

For Southern Denmark, the Port of Odense is a major and valuable industrial port. The port serves different sectors like shipping, manufacturing, and logistics. Also, it is highly connected for distribution across Funen to the other parts of the country. It has existed since 1931.

10. Port of Køge

Port Location: On the Coast of Zealand, just south of Copenhagen, Køge
Port Code: DKKEG
Port Handling Capacity: Handles around 1 million tons of cargo yearly.
Port Management: Køge Port Authority

The Køge Port is a major hub for both commercial shipping and passenger ferries. The port handles ro-ro cargo, containers, and general freight. Also, it is positioned well for both domestic and international trading.

11. Port of Thyborøn

Port Location: On the western coast of Jutland, Thyborøn, Denmark
Port Code: DK THY
Port Handling Capacity: Capable of handling about 600,000 tons of cargo each year.
Port Management: Thyborøn Port Authority

Established in 1908, the Thyborøn Port is mainly a fishing port. It handles general cargo and seafood exportation. Its contribution to better the fishing sector of Denmark is clear.

Less Busy Ports

1. Port of Rønne

Port of Rønne is the largest in the Baltic Sea Region of Denmark. It serves the fishing, tourism, and fishing industries and connects Denmark with Poland, Germany, and Sweden.

2. Port of Grenaa

Port of Grenaa is a major ferry and commercial port. It serves as the pathway to Sweden including the Eastern Region of Denmark. This port supports tourism and local industry.

3. Port of Skagen

Port of Skagen is famous for its maritime and fishing heritage. The port is pivotal to the development of the local economy through seafood exporting and maritime tourism.

4. Port of Kolding

Port of Kolding is a deep-water port. It supports industrial and cargo shipping activities like container handling, logistics, and bulk goods.

5. Port of Hundested

The Hundested Port mainly handles passenger traffic, ferry services, and light cargo. It is positioned strategically and connects to Sweden. This makes it a major maritime and small-scale fishing industry support.

6. Port of Nakskov

The Nakskov Port stands as one of the oldest commercial harbors in Denmark. It has specialized facilities to distribute and store products like timber and other agricultural products.

7. Port of Thisted

Port of Thisted mainly serves cargo ships and fishing vessels. It handles seafood exporting, mainly fish, which supports the fishing industry locally.

8. Port of Vejle

Port of Vejle is a highly strategic center for trading bulk goods, containers, and industrial products. It deals mainly in construction materials and chemicals transportation.

9. Port of Brabrand

Port of Brabrand focuses mainly on distribution and logistics. It is connected perfectly to the rail and road networks of Denmark. The port handles containers, construction materials, and bulk cargo.

FAQs

1. What is the main Danish Port?

The Port of Aarhus is the main Danish Port.

2. How many Ports of Entry are there in Denmark?

There are several ports of entry in Denmark with the Aarhus, Copenhagen, Fredericia, and Esbjerg ports being the busiest.

3. How many Ports can you find in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has countless port facilities like the CMP or Copenhagen Malmö Port that mostly handles cruise traffic, cargo, and unique terminals for ferries.

Conclusion

With this important information, you can easily choose your port of origin or port of destination when doing business in Denmark.

Whichever the case, ensure you choose a port that is convenient and easily accessible.

At Bansar, we will help you in all shipping from China to Denmark. We offer cost effective solutions from warehousing, customs clearance, packaging to inspection – for inquiries, contact us now.

More resources:

Danish Maritime Authority – Source: DMA

Calculating Sea Freight Rates in FCL and LCL – Source: BANSAR

Freight Forwarders in Denmark – Source: BANSAR