Heroes of the night in Kalundborg

In the autumn of 2024, APM Terminals in Kalundborg invited regional tv channel TV2 Øst to join them at work to showcase how containers are unloaded and loaded, and what it takes to make an operation at the terminal successful.

In Kalundborg, employees come from all kinds of backgrounds. One of them is Heidi Gormsen, who has a farm alongside her job at the terminal. “It’s a good combination – and it’s funny operating the big machinery at the terminal,” she explains.

The task of loading and unloading 400 containers from the arriving ship is handled by a team of 16 employees during the program. The operation runs from early evening into the late morning and relies on teamwork, planning, and strong camaraderie.

“It makes me proud that we can showcase our terminal to the viewers and highlight the important societal role we fulfil here in Zealand,” says Heidi Gormsen, Terminal Operator, while also thanking her colleagues for sharing their stories and demonstrating what a safe and efficient operation looks like. Safety is the top priority in all APM Terminals operations worldwide.

Despite the fact that he is actually retired, seventy-two-year-old Jan Andersen – featured in the video below – works as a signalman. “It’s more of a part-time job. I find it enjoyable and pleasant—and it adds a bit to my pension. As long as they need me, I’ll keep at it,” he tells the TV2 Øst journalist while preparing for the unloading of the arriving ship.

Atmosphere and camaraderie are essential components at the terminal, which is clearly shown as the team shares a late-night meal in the communal room.

Dispatcher Jannik Walentin remarks: “We’re in it together. The mood should be good—you can spend hours communicating over the radio, so it’s nice to come in and also chat about other things.”

Watch the full program Night Shift (in Danish) on TV2 Øst.