HJHansen’s investment in Aalborg pays off with its largest vessel at the port to date
Less than eight months after bringing a new berth at Aalborg’s East Harbour into operation, HJHansen Recycling Group has loaded and dispatched the first large deep-sea vessel from the new site. This marks a milestone for the recycling company’s operations in North Jutland.
Press release written by Port of Aalborg, September 2026.
In January 2026, HJHansen Recycling Group relocated from its previous site at the East Harbour to a new site directly alongside the quay. The purpose of the move was to provide better conditions for the company’s growth and further strengthen Aalborg’s role as a hub for its operations in North Jutland. Now comes the first confirmation that it was the right decision:
HJHansen Recycling Group has just handled its largest vessel to date in Aalborg – a deep-sea vessel loaded with 13,000 tonnes of ferrous scrap destined for recycling. This is the first time the company has handled a loading operation of this scale in Aalborg.
– The new site in Aalborg is a strategic investment for us. We now have the facilities to handle larger volumes and larger vessels, strengthening both our own business and the solutions we can offer our partners. This vessel is an important indication that the investment is delivering as we had hoped.
At its new location, HJHansen Recycling Group has direct quay access, allowing for a more efficient logistics operation. It is also easier to consolidate materials from both North Jutland and the rest of Scandinavia in Aalborg before they are shipped onwards for recycling.
“The benefits are not limited to us as a company. For our customers and partners, this means more efficient transport routes and greater flexibility,” says Rasmus Skou Oldenborg.
Strategic investment pays off
Last week’s vessel loading operation is the culmination of several years of collaboration between HJHansen Recycling Group and Port of Aalborg to create the conditions for increased activity in Aalborg.
For Port of Aalborg, this development is an example of how investment in new commercial sites and port infrastructure can translate into tangible activity.
HJHansen’s presence at the port contributes to increased cargo throughput and more vessel calls, while also strengthening Aalborg’s position in recycling and the circular economy.
– This is exactly the kind of development we want to foster. When companies make long-term investments in Aalborg and have the opportunity to grow here, it generates activity at the port and creates value for the entire business community in North Jutland. It is therefore very encouraging to see that HJHansen Recycling Group’s investment is already delivering tangible results.
Shared focus on recycling
At the same time, Port of Aalborg also sees greener perspectives in the collaboration. HJHansen Recycling Group’s site forms part of a quay facility that, through a focus on recycling and reduced emissions, has been constructed with a significantly lower CO₂ footprint than traditional infrastructure projects of this kind. This is why Michael Rosenkilde Lind is particularly pleased that HJHansen Recycling Group is the company operating at the site.
“There is a strong alignment between the purpose of the quay and HJHansen Recycling Group’s business. We have invested in more environmentally friendly port infrastructure, and the site is now being used by a company whose business is built on recycling and circular value creation. This fits very well with our ambitions as a port.”
About Port of Aalborg A/S
Port of Aalborg is North Jutland’s leading logistics hub, surrounded by a rapidly growing business park. For 550 years, the port has been a focal point for business development in Aalborg, and today the port area is a dynamic commercial centre with a focus on both sea- and landside activities – always with the green transition at its core. The Port of Aalborg A/S Group comprises seven subsidiaries and approximately 110 employees.
Read more at www.portofaalborg.com.
Image: Aerial view of the vessel Helene Julie, which departed carrying 13,000 tonnes of scrap for recycling.