Port Esbjerg upgrades control room

The expansion of activity at Denmark’s largest offshore hub has put pressure on existing systems, prompting a push toward better coordination capacity.

“In recent years, development at Port Esbjerg has gone only one way,” explained Dennis Jul Pedersen, chief executive of the Port of Esbjerg.

“We are growing – both in size and operations. That’s why we needed to centralise our systems and give our staff a new control room where they can plan and manage port operations with full operational overview.”

The centrepiece of the upgrade is a new control room that brings the port’s various IT systems into a single platform. Staff now have a single view of vessel movements, cargo handling zones and on-site activity, replacing what had been a more fragmented setup.

Port officials say the change allows for real-time traffic coordination and more predictable planning, while also improving emergency preparedness by tightening communication.

Activity at the port is constant, with cargo arriving, shifting direction and departing in a near-continuous loop. The new setup is intended to bring more clarity to that flow. Beyond daily logistics, the system widens port control’s remit with the integrated overview now supporting drone operations, guiding vessels and strengthening safety monitoring.

The project was launched in early 2025 and finished on schedule in October of the same year. It forms part of the Developing Innovative Offshore Logistics initiative led by Esbjerg Airport and is backed by a multimillion-euro investment from Port Esbjerg and the Interreg North Sea Program.