Port of Hanstholm (Denmark) is investing over 40 millions in a project to improve its fish market. The work has just started last month and it is divided in three phases:
The first part, which costs 14 million Danish Krona, involves the installation of a bigger auction room and a new cooling system to keep the 'unbreakable cool chain' from sea to consumers. The new building will also have an automatised fish handling system, a conveyor belt that unloads the fish without the need of human manipulation. There is direct access from the wharf to the loading bays, so sold fish can go straight from the market to refrigerated trucks, maintaining the cold chain and avoiding contamination.
This part is expected to be finished next April.
Another 14 million Krona will be invested in the second part of the development project that consists in the installation of new grading machinery. At the moment, Port authorities are still studying the best solution but it is expected to be ready in 2004.
The installation of an Internet auction is also to be study in a third phase of the plan. Hanstholm harbour is Denmark's biggest port for human consumption accounting for 48,000 tonnes of fish.
The port handles 30,000 fishing vessels from the EU, Iceland, Norway, the Faroese and Greenland. Port of Hirshals (Denmark) is also building a new fish terminal to meet all requirements for the 'unbroken cooling chain' from sea to consumer.
The project will cost 40 millions and it is expected to be ready by 2005.
