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Expansion of the harbour in Nuuk takes shape

A new collaboration with Arctic Command will boost capacity in Greenland’s most important harbour — at a time of rapid growth, rising tourism and increasing activity.

Sikuki Nuuk Harbour has long been a central hub for Greenland’s economic development, where constant activity, complex planning and pressure on berth space merge into an ongoing logistical puzzle.

Container vessels and trawlers call at the port; containers, frozen shrimp and fish are handled; workboats discharge sand, take on fuel and receive new cargo. Meanwhile, an increasing number of tour boats bring visitors into Nuuk Fjord. And with the opening of the new runway in Nuuk, it is now common on busy days to see hundreds of tourists embarking or disembarking from large cruise ships.

Tourism is expected to grow significantly in the coming years as more hotels are built and the industry matures.

“We had 78 cruise calls in 2025 — the highest number ever — and 27 of these were turnaround calls where passengers are exchanged through the airport,” says John Rasmussen, CEO of Sikuki Nuuk Harbour A/S.

“That is a new type of activity that requires ships to stay alongside for longer, adding further pressure on the harbour’s overall capacity.”

John Rasmussen, CEO, Sikuki Nuuk Harbour A/S.

A shared quay for defence and commercial use

Sikuki Nuuk Harbour today hosts fishing vessels, cruise ships and naval activity — and all three sectors are growing. Trawlers need flexible berths; cruise operators book years in advance; and naval vessels must be able to dock for refuelling, repairs and resupply. The result is that capacity is at times fully utilised.

“For several years it has been a difficult puzzle to solve. Trawlers may have to wait days or sail to another port, and naval vessels have on occasion sailed to Iceland for servicing,” says John Rasmussen.

A long-awaited solution is now underway: a new 350-metre quay on Qeqertat (the Admiralty Islands), built as an extension of the 2017 container terminal.

Sikuki Nuuk Harbour will establish a 200-metre trawler quay, while Arctic Command will receive a 150-metre naval berth under a flexible dual-use agreement.

“The navy has priority access to its 150 metres, but when capacity is not fully used — for example, when ships are at sea — the space can be utilised for civilian calls. This ensures better overall use of the harbour and demonstrates a collaboration that strengthens both national preparedness and Greenland’s maritime industries,” says John Rasmussen.

A catalyst for economic development

The construction project is expected to run across three building seasons, from 2026 to 2028. According to John Rasmussen, the expansion will not only create improved conditions for fisheries and tourism — it will also spark broader economic development across the area.

“As the port expands, the municipality can prepare additional commercial plots on Qeqertat. This will be a major boost for Nuuk’s maritime businesses and a catalyst for growth,” he says.

“We are constantly working to balance very different needs. Cruise operators require predictability, trawlers need flexibility, and local operators need access to the right facilities. The harbour expansion will make it easier to accommodate all three.”

Green energy and local improvements

Once the harbour expansion is completed in 2028, the next step will likely be to install shore-power facilities for vessels.

“This will significantly reduce particulate emissions and CO₂ around the harbour. And in Nuuk, the electricity is already green, coming from the hydropower plant in Buksefjorden,” notes John Rasmussen.

The plan is for the container terminal, the trawler quay and the naval quay to have access to shore power — and later the older part of the port where cruise ships dock.

Elsewhere in the country, Sikuki Nuuk Harbour is also driving improvements. In Kangerlussuaq, the port authority has completed a major dredging of the fairway, installed a new automated fuel payment system and established pontoon facilities for local boats.

“This has made a significant difference for both local users and visitors,” says John Rasmussen.

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