Part of the Maritime History of Esbjerg Harbour

From Fishing Hub to Offshore Centre

In the 1970s, Esbjerg was a central hub for Danish fishing, bustling with vessels that relied on dependable marine electronics. Radar, navigation, and communication systems were essential for safety and efficient operations. FURUNO, then called International Ships Radio, quickly became a trusted partner providing MF/HF/VHF radios, radars, echo-sounders and auto-pilots, meeting the needs of a thriving fishing fleet.

As the fishing industry changed and Esbjerg Harbour transitioned into an international centre for offshore wind, oil and gas, and specialised marine operations. New vessel types brought higher demands for marine electronics with precision, durability, and advanced integration. FURUNO Denmark evolved accordingly, supplying big scanning sonars, radars, gyro-compass, satellite equipment and fully integrated bridge systems, while expanding its technical expertise to support increasingly complex maritime operations.

Since the Mid 90’s FURUNO’s Esbjerg office also serves as the headquarters of the company’s Mobile Communications Department, offering tailored communications solutions and specialised consulting for complex environments—from local concert halls to offshore installations and global shipping fleets.

A Global Company with Local Roots

FURUNO DANMARK A/S (FDK) is a subsidiary of FURUNO Electric Co., Ltd., a world-leading manufacturer of maritime electronics founded in Japan. FDK is headquartered in Hvidovre with branch offices in Esbjerg and Skagen—and subsidiaries in Sweden and Poland—employing more than 100 specialists across sales, service, engineering, and training.

FURUNO provides innovative radar, ECDIS, GPS, GMDSS, sonar, offshore communication systems, and sustainable fishfinding technologies—all with one clear mission, to improve safety and efficiency at sea. Our Esbjerg office plays a central role in fulfilling this mission, offering specialist knowledge, hands-on service, and 24/7 support for vessels operating in some of the world’s toughest conditions.

The 21 employees of the Esbjerg office, are FURUNO’s defining strength. They include service technicians, specialists, and sales professionals who have deep knowledge of the harbour, offshore operations, and the needs of local vessel operators. While FURUNO delivers world-class technology and products known for exceptional longevity, the Esbjerg team ensures personal service, swift response times, and long-term relationships with customers across Denmark, and the North Sea.

Continual Innovation

Over the next five years, the industry will clearly move toward increased safety requirements – both at sea and on land. In communications, we are seeing significant growth in the need for stable, secure, and robust connections as offshore and larger fleets become increasingly complex. With FURUNO's mobile communications competence centre located in Esbjerg, we are well-positioned to respond to this development.

At the same time, the complexity of maritime navigation continues to increase, driven by stricter regulations, specialised equipment, and more mandatory inspections. This increases the need for highly trained technicians and inspectors, which is why we continuously invest in upgrading the skills of our employees.

“Our greatest strength is our highly qualified technicians. We are committed to ensuring that our technicians continue to possess the necessary skills at all times so that we can provide a professional, safe, and reliable service to our customers".
– Jes Rosenberg, Esbjerg Branch Office Manager

By consistently delivering innovative, reliable, and safety-enhancing solutions, FURUNO DANMARK A/S continues to play a key role in advancing maritime operations from Esbjerg and beyond.