For much of the 20th century, Odense Steel Shipyard – later Lindø Shipyard, a major A.P. Moller-Maersk facility – was synonymous with regional growth and local jobs. However, following the 2008 financial crisis, the shipyard was forced to close down, resulting in over 2,700 layoffs and uncertainty about the port’s future.

Rather than decline, the port seized the opportunities presented by the green transition. With support from local authorities, workers’ unions, and a donation from A.P. Moller-Maersk, the former shipyard was transformed into a modern industrial park specialising in offshore wind manufacturing, innovation, and testing.

Many former shipyard workers transitioned into the offshore wind sector, leveraging their skills in heavy industry and precision engineering.

Today, more than 120 large and small companies dominate the activities at the Port of Odense, making crucial contributions to the green transition by producing parts for offshore wind turbines.

Over a period of just 15 years, Odense Port has grown to be Northern Europe’s largest offshore wind manufacturing hub. It hosts key players in the industry, including Vestas, which developed its prototype nacelle for the 15 MW turbine at the port, and the Lindø Offshore Renewables Center (LORC), a world-class facility capable of testing wind turbine components up to 25 MW under extreme conditions.

More than 3,200 people now work at the port, many within offshore wind. By repurposing its industrial expertise, Odense Port has not only secured new economic growth but also positioned itself at the forefront of the global offshore wind supply chain.