For the 59 harbours affected, the bill totals 90 million Danish kroner, according to the Federation of Yacht Harbours in Denmark (FLID). Four harbours are particularly affected, with damage amounting to at least 10 million kroner each, which accounts for more than half of the total damage.
This includes the stopover harbour of Hesnæs on Falster, which is popular with German sailors. It was completely destroyed and will remain closed in 2024. The future beyond that is also written in the stars, as the funding for reconstruction is still unclear. The situation is similarly bleak in Mommark on Alsen, where it is also unlikely that guest sailors will be able to dock next year.
Hoping for state aid
In view of this situation, the FLID is calling for help for the affected harbours and has invited Economics Minister Morten Bødskov to a meeting. The battered harbour operators are facing a Herculean financial task after the storm surge in the Baltic Sea, as damage costs significantly exceed their own turnover.
In November, however, Morten Bødskov refused to offer support to the harbours, leaving them to foot the bill on their own. This has to do with a peculiarity in the Danish insurance system. As this is a natural disaster officially categorised as a storm surge, only insurance for damage to buildings is covered. Business interruption or damaged harbour facilities are not covered in this case - even if they were insured.
The harbour operators affected are now hoping that the minister will relent so that the government will make funds available for reconstruction. Otherwise, some ports of call will probably be a thing of the past forever.
