As we have previously told here at FemernReport, FLC’s working port at the element factory in Rødbyhavn has played its way into the ports’ super league in terms of cargo turnover. However, this does not mean that the ports of Vordingborg, Nakskov and Nykøbing Falster should shake their pants at the prospect of competition from Rødbyhavn:
Not an ordinary commercial port
– It is not an ordinary business port. The working port can be better compared to a private port such as Aalborg Portland’s, for example, which is in the world for very specific things such as cement production in Aalborg Portland’s case, says Jacob Svane, who is senior chief consultant at Danske Shipping- og Havnevirsomrader, a member association under Dansk Industry (DI).
Interconnects with the factory
Jacob Svane emphasizes that the working port and the element factory it serves are connected. For the time being, this means that the port must be able to receive large quantities of bulk goods from ships that are specially built to deliver, for example, cement, gravel and shards, and ship out the pre-cast tunnel elements using tugboats.
Large volume of cargo, but not a large port
– Measured in terms of cargo volume, the working port is large, but considered as a port it is not very large. There is not much berthing space, nor is there any need for it. After all, there won’t be a lot of logs or a million 40-foot containers on the quay, explains Jacob Svane.
Targeted for a specific task
On the other hand, the working port is perfect for the purpose it was designed for. So when the element factory, by all accounts, must continue production, when the elements for the Fehmarn Tunnel are cast, the port will continue to be an asset – for the factory:
– The port is focused on the specific task, and it would make good sense to bring someone who understands it in the form of an external partner, says Jacob Svane.
Lolland Municipality has previously announced that it could be interesting to have an external partner, such as Blue Water Shipping, in relation to the further operation of the working harbor after the elements for the Fehmarn Tunnel have been cast.
Does not have an acceptance obligation for ships
Jacob Svane also points out that, legally speaking, there is a significant difference between a private specialist port and a commercial port. Thus, the working port in Rødbyhavn does not have an obligation to receive ships, just as the legislation provides the opportunity to define a restricted area of application for the port:
– It is fine for the ships to and from the Fehmarn project and later the element factory, but Lolland is already provided with commercial ports, he says.
