Local development and growth on Samsø

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Since 2014, Samsø Rederi, a municipal shipping line based on Samsø, has handled the route between the ports of Sælvig and Hou. The shipping line put a newly built and larger ferry, Prinsesse Isabella, into service in March 2015. The new ferry increased the vehicle capacity on the route from 90 to 160 cars. The ferry, which was also financed by KommuneKredit, runs on liquid natural gas, which contributes to reducing carbon emissions.
The new ferry required the ferry ports of Sælvig and Hou to be extended. The reconstruction of Sælvig Færgehavn expanded the port area by more than 10,000 sqm providing space for 160 vehicles in the embarkation waiting lanes, two disembarkation lanes from the ferry and 90 new parking spaces. At the same time, the ferry berths in both ports were rebuilt to accommodate the new ferry. Investments were made in ramps, fender systems and automated mooring systems.

 

Søren Stensgaard, head of technical management at Samsø Kommune, says that the extension of the ferry ports of Sælvig and Hou has a great significance for local communities. “Good connections to the mainland are supportive of local development and growth,” he says. “Decades of population decline have completely stopped, and it looks like more people may come and live on Samsø – and improved transport connections to and from the island are a critical factor here,” he continues.

 

KommuneKredit financed the reconstruction of the ports of Sælvig and Hou. The project has had great importance for the local community on the island of Samsø.

Client: Municipality of Samsø

 

Construction period: Startup 2014

 

Loan financing: DKK 54.1 million

 

Loan product: The project is financed by way of a construction credit facility during the construction phase, of which DKK 45.8 million has been converted to a fixed-rate loan with a base rate, which will be repaid over 25 years.

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