For much of the 20th century, the Port of Esbjerg was Denmark’s largest fishing harbour, employing a significant share of the local workforce. However, as fish stocks declined and EU quotas were introduced, the industry contracted. By the early 2000s, only a fraction of the fishing fleet remained, leading to widespread job losses and economic uncertainty.

At the same time, Denmark was emerging as a pioneer in offshore wind energy. The sector needed ports capable of handling large-scale logistics, as well as a skilled workforce to install and maintain offshore wind farms. The challenge was to transition Esbjerg’s port and workforce from traditional industries to offshore wind.

The shift began in 2002 when the Port of Esbjerg was selected as the assembly and shipping site for Denmark’s first large-scale offshore wind farm, Horns Rev 1. Recognising offshore wind’s potential, the port invested in infrastructure, expanding its storage areas and upgrading quay facilities to support turbine transport and installation.

A crucial part of this transformation was workforce retraining. Many former fishermen, dockworkers, and oil and gas workers had transferable skills suited to offshore wind operations, such as maritime logistics, heavy lifting, and offshore safety procedures. Industry players and local educational institutions introduced training programmes to equip workers with new certifications, enabling them to transition into wind turbine installation, maintenance, and servicing roles.

Today, Port Esbjerg is the leading port in Europe in terms of handling and shipping out wind power and is home to around 200 companies and 10,000 people at the port, supporting the full offshore wind supply chain. In 2023, the port tripled its offshore wind shipment capacity, increasing from 1.5 GW to 4.5 GW annually through improved logistics coordination and digital tools.

The Port of Esbjerg is now the world’s largest base port for offshore wind installation, with over 80 percent of Europe’s installed offshore wind capacity having been shipped from its facilities. The port has not only become a key enabler of offshore wind expansion but has also revitalised the local economy.

Thousands of new jobs have been created, providing stable employment and attracting new businesses to the region. Many workers from traditional industries have successfully transitioned to careers in offshore wind, ensuring that Esbjerg retains its expertise while contributing to the green transition.

Looking ahead, the Port of Esbjerg will continue to expand its role in offshore wind, while still exploring new emerging technologies supporting Denmark’s renewable energy targets and Europe’s increasing demand for offshore wind capacity. Its transformation illustrates how ports can drive industrial change, create jobs and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy while creating supply of renewable energy.