The port of Skagen in Denmark has reached an agreement with Norwegian fisheries group Pelagia to set up in the port’s Stage 3 development.
Skagen port director Willy B Hansen is delighted that Pelagia has chosen Skagen for its future activities, with Pelagia Danmark set to strengthen the port’s position as a centre of pelagic fishing activity. Pelagia already operates 26 plants in the UK, Ireland and Norway.
Skagen’s stage 3 development includes approximately 190,000 square metres of land reclamation and will bring 930 metres of new quayside space. Pelagia Danmark will lease around 38,000 square metres of space that is scheduled to be ready in 2020.
‘Pelagia is establishing itself in Skagen as Pelagia Denmark AS, producing marinated herring. We have searched for harbour areas to expand our business in Denmark, and have looked into the possibilities in several harbours. The optimal solution is found in Skagen and we have reached an agreement with Port of Skagen,’ a spokesman for Pelagia said.
‘Pelagia will build the production facility for focusing on high-quality value-added products and increased production of marinated products of herring in particular. We are very excited of the possibilities of this expansion being able to serve both our customers and suppliers of fish with an added service. Our suppliers of fish will have the possibilities to deliver for both seafood and industrial purposes. The expansion is part of using 100% of the fish and increasing our innovation in product development of the healthy pelagic products.’
Willy B. Hansen said that it was important for Pelagia to have a location directly adjacent to the dock to be able to discharge catches directly from fishing vessels to the factory, ensuring the best quality and efficient production – and he is confident that this will bring more landings to Skagen.
‘Skagen is the Danish port taking the largest amount of pelagic landings. More than 100,000 tonnes of herring are landed annually in Skagen, making the port an active player in supporting the consolidation and development that has taken place in the herring industry in recent years,’ he said.
‘The co-operation with Pelagia, which is one of the leaders in pelagic fishery products for human consumption, is therefore a natural link to the ports business area.’
