Aalborg

1. Aalborg E Pilot boards57°03.1′N 009°56.7′E
2. Aalborg W Pilot boards57°03.7′N 009°53.1′E

Size limits

LOA 250m, beam 32.26m, draught 9.4m and 74,995DWT

Water density

1017-1020.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Zone for ships of 100m or less in length. Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 0.3m. Currents off Aalborg are irregular. After strong W'ly winds, tide may rise to 1.2m above MSL and prevailing strong E'ly winds may set the level to 0.7m below MSL.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Aalborg can be approached from two directions. Deep draught vessels enter from Kattegat through E entrance to Limfjorden, maximum draught 9.3m. Small vessels up to 3.8m can reach the port from the North Sea via artificial channels (at Thyboron and Logstor) and the Limfjord, a total distance of 78nm. Although this passage is marked with leading lights, the transit between Aalborg and Logstor does not have leading lights or lightbuoys.

The main approach is from the Kattegat via Buoy "B7", through the Svitringen and Egense routes and across Hals Bar, a total distance of 18nm.

Entrance for deep draught vessels is via the Aalborg Bugt Buoy "B7" through the channel, length 6.5nm; width 240m, to the Svitringen route; length 8nm, width 240m and then through the Egense route, length 3.7m; width 110m across Hals Bar.

The 36nm fairway from Kattegat to Aalborg has a minimum width of 110m and a depth of 10.4m MSL in the artificial channel across Hals Bar and a depth of 10.1m MSL between the bar and Aalborg. The max draught for vessels crossing Hals Bar is 9.3m MSL.

Port limits

On the S side, the harbour limit extends about 200m from the S shore, from immediately SE of Rordal (57°03.8'N 009°53.9'E).

On the N side, the harbour limit extends from 200m above the bridge, 100m from the N shore, to the SE end of a dredged approach channel at the SW end of Sundby Harg.

Anchorages

Vessels wishing to anchor within the harbour area must request permission from the Harbour Authority on VHF Ch 16. Vessels granted permission to anchor must not obstruct clear passage either through the bridges or to quay installations.

Anchoring is not recommended in an area close NE of Ostre Havn (57°02.9'N 009°56.5'N), likely to be foul where three floating docks were previously berthed.

Prohibited anchorage. Anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity of the bridges, and within 200m of the tunnel marked by No19 Lightbuoy.

Restrictions

A board is placed on E and W sides of the S bascule pillar of the bridge to inform small craft of the time of next opening.

Jernbanebroen rail bridge (0.35nm farther NW) is supported on seven piers, with a single bascule span between the third and fourth spans from the Aalborg side. Navigable width: 30m, marked on S side by red lights, and on the N side by green lights. The centre of the navigational opening is marked by white lights.

South spans, bascule when lowered, vertical clearance: 4.4m

North spans, vertical clearance: 3.3m.

Bridge opening times: 0500-2100hrs, except within 15 minutes before a train is due, until it has passed over the bridge.

Free passage through both bridges, out of normal hours, can be arranged before 2000hrs with the bridge watch, on VHF Ch 16.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Mooring

Line handlers are available throughout 24 hours.

Charts and publications

BA 430, 429, 894, Danish 105, 106, 107. Admiralty Pilot NP18, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent to the agent and Port Authority, 24 and 8 hours prior to arrival. The following information is required: Cargo to be discharged/loaded, last port of call, ISPS requirements, IMDG cargo, any orders for line handlers, freshwater and disposals.

Communications

Emergency Response Centre, Admiral Danish Fleet (24hrs): Tel: +45 89 43 32 11. Fax: +45 89 43 32 30. Email: [email protected]. VHF Ch16 (Call Danish Navy).

Coastguard: Sovaernets Operative Kommando (SOK), Naval Command Denmark (24hrs): Tel: +45 8943 3099. E-mail: [email protected], Web: http://forsvaret.dk/SOK.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.

Health

Health regulations are handled by ship's agent. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

The Customs and Immigration formalities are handled by the vessel's agent. The allowances for officers and crew are 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits, there is a fine for non compliance.

Flags

Vessels national flag aft. Danish flag from the mast.

Notices and regulations

Veterinarian Border Inspection: Port of Aalborg has according to Executive Order 69 of January 22nd 2010, reached an agreement with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration to operate the local veterinary border inspection post (BIP). The inspection is done by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Region "Nordjylland", who is charging for the veterinary inspection. For using the facility of the BIP centre, a fee will be charged. All shipments less than 50kg are exempted form the fee. However, shipments must not be split into smaller lots to avoid this fee. For detained cargo a special storage fee will be charged.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Danish Coastal Authority.

Position: Senior Project Manager.

Address: Postboks 131, DK-7620, Lemvig, Denmark.

Tel: +45 99 63 63 63.

Fax: +45 99 63 63 99.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.maritimsikring.dk

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

A variety of repairs may be undertaken.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available from installation or by road tanker. Oil and coal available from ashore.

Stores: Plenty of fresh provisions are available.

Medical

Hospital of the Holy Ghost in Aalborg is approximately 2 km from the port.

Crew change

Possible through ships agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Aalborg Airport, 15km.

Working hours

Normally, Mon-Thu, 0700-0830hrs, 0900-1200hrs and 1230-1530hrs (Fri 1500hrs). Overtime possible.

Where it is

Aalborg is situated on both banks of the Limfjord with access to both the North Sea and Kattegat.

The port

The Inner Harbour is situated in position 57°03.2'N 009°57.2'E, approx 16nm from the Kattegat entrance. The E Harbour (Nordjyllandsvaerkets) is situated in position 57°03.0'N 010°03.5'E, on the S bank of the Limfjord, approx 11nm from the Kattegat entrance.

The port handles the majority of N Jutland's imports and exports and is the base port for all trade between Denmark and Greenland. With nearly 4nm of quays with facilities for handling general, bulk cargo, container, Ro-Ro traffic, tankers and cruise ships.

The following cargoes are handled: Oil, grain, feedstuffs, fertilisers, iron, crude, gypsum, pebble, general cargo and containers.

Aalborg Portland comprises a bulk cement export facility operated by Aalborg Portland AS.

Traffic

Approx 3,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Aalborg?

The pilot boards at Aalborg E, 57°03.1′N 009°56.7′E. Aalborg has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Aalborg in?

Local time at Aalborg is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Aalborg?

The deepest berth listed is at Circle K Terminal: 9.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Aalborg?

1017-1020.

Which load line zone is Aalborg in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Zone for ships of 100m or less in length.

Who carries out Port State Control at Aalborg?

Port State Control at Aalborg: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Aalborg?

The UN/LOCODE of Aalborg is DKAAL.

What crews who called at Aalborg say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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