PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Aarhus
Pilot
updated Oct 2018Harbour pilots board in position 56°08.7'N 010°18.0'E.
Pilotage is not compulsory for Captain carrying pilot exemption certificate.
Key data
updated Feb 2023Size limits
LOA 450m, beam 59m, draught 15m, 214,121DWT.
Water density
Brackish.
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
0.3m. Winds from W and NW can raise water level by up to 1.0m and SE winds can lower it by 1.0m.
Current: There is a N going stream off the E quays in Nordhavn caused by the river Aarhus A which flows into the head of the harbour.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| APM Terminals Aarhus | 16.00 m | 450 m | 15 |
| Mellermarmen (SE Side - Cruise Terminal) Bassin 4 | — | 138 m | 2 |
| Bulk and Multi Terminal | 12.40 m | 255 m | 18 |
| Oliehavnsvej (Oil Port) | 11.50 m | 184 m | 14 |
| Samtank (Aarhus Oliehavnsvej) | 10.50 m | 179 m | 2 |
| Bassin 7 | — | 126 m | 8 |
| AAK (Formerly AarhusKarlshamn) | 9.50 m | 170 m | 4 |
| Aarhus Kornpier (Dlg Grain Pier) | — | 100 m | 4 |
| Mellemarmen (Repair Yard) | — | 290 m | 4 |
| Pier 2 (Skanegade) | — | 198 m | 5 |
| Faerge (Ferry) Terminal, Pier 3 | — | — | 7 |
| Mellermarmen (SE Side) Bassin 3 | 8.00 m | 88 m | 2 |
| Bassin 2 (Nordhavnsgade) | — | — | 2 |
| Bassin 3 (Slippen SW Side) | — | 90 m | 4 |
| Mellemarmen (NW Side) | — | 26 m | 8 |
All 17 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry Terminal (Bassin 13) | — | — | 6 |
| Omni Terminal | — | — | 5 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2023Approach
The entrance to the outer harbour, which is 150m in width, lies at the NE corner between the heads of Vestre Mole and Ostre Molearm. A light is exhibited from a white round tower at the head of each of these moles, the tower on the W side of the entrance has a red band and the tower on the E side has red and green bands.
A depth of 14m extends into the entrance.
Port limits
The harbour limits extend approx 1.0nm NE, 0.5nm E and 1.0nm SE, outside the seaward extremity of the harbour quays.
Anchorages
Suitable anchoring places are available in the roads. The Traffic Service will provide the necessary particulars via VHF radio.
A vessel delayed entering may anchor in Aarhus Red, the area outside the entrance within 2.0nm of the head of Ostre Molearm, approx 1.0nm S of the Aarhus Approach Lightbuoy (Racon), clear of the Leading Line.
A designated anchor area is located in Position 56°08.0'N 010°17.0'E.
Restrictions
Water depth at the entrance to the E section, Bulk Terminal and Multipurpose Terminals is 14m. The entrance is marked by buoys and leading lights. The harbour entrance has a depth of 11m at the common entrance to the Oil Harbour and N and S sections.
Normally there is free passage throughout the port area. However, certain limitations apply to the following port divisions:
The Oil Division, Container Terminal and the Multi-purpose Terminal are closed Mon-Fri, 1930-0530hrs.
Visibility restrictions:
Berthing and sailing operation may be suspended at low visibility depending on vessels equipment and or cargo.
Tugs
There are 2 tugs available, 1 with a capacity of 4,700hp and 1 with a capacity of 3,000hp.
"Aros": Bollard pull ahead 55 ton
"Hermes" Bollard pull ahead: 45 ton
Requests for towage must be made to the Operations Centre via VHF Ch 12 or by phone (+45 86 13 32 66). Tugs must be ordered with at least 2 hrs notice.
Mooring
Berth 324: There are two mooring posts close E of this berth, as no shore lines can be connected on the quay.
Berth 135: Mooring dolphin approx 45m close NE of the berth entrance.
Boatmen from Port of Aarhus take care of the vesselsâ mooring, which in most cases is carried out using one of the port's two four wheels Mercedes hawser vehicles. The vehicle is placed on the quay where the ship's fore and aft end should be. A hydraulic winch on the vehicle can drag the ship's heavy hawsers with effortless ease up on quayside where they are moored to one or more bollards.
Oil terminals:
Vessels moored at the terminals are required as a minimum, to comply with the OCIMF mooring recommendations.
The Master is responsible for ensuring that the ship remains securely moored throughout the stay and must ensure all mooring are regularly tended and maintained.
Emergency towing pennant/fire wire should be applied in accordance with OCIMF, the vessels are preferably be moored with heading "bow out".
Charts and publications
BA 949, 2590, 2108. Admiralty Pilot NP18, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA should be sent 2 hours prior to arrival. Weekend ETA's should be confirmed before 1400hrs on Friday.
Communications
Port: VHF: Ch 16, 12,13.
Tel: +45 86 133266 (24hrs). Fax: +45 86 127662. Email: port @ aarhus.dk
Website: http://www.aarhushavn.dk
Harbour Pilot (DanPilot): VHF: Ch 16, 12, 13, 14. (24hrs)
Tel: +45 63 256666. Fax: +45 62 501528. Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.danpilot.dk
Harbour Pilots (Private): Tel: +45 89 368252. (24hrs). Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.aarhushavn.dk
Aarhus Container Terminal East (APM Terminals) Gate: Tel: +45 8934 8871.
Lyngby Radio (the only coast radio station in Denmark) is recommended for passing messages. The station works throughout 24 hours.
Inmarsat communication is available.
Communications between terminal representative and the ship cargo officer is preferable use portable VHF/UHF radio at all times.
A secondary means of voice communication will be verbal via jetty operator.
Standard messages
The Port of Aarhus has its own pilots who are ready to assist ships upon arrival and departure. Pilotage is only compulsory for ships carrying flammable substances. Port assistants navigate the tug boats, carry out mooring service and port surveillance etc. About 30 min. prior to expected time of arrival at the fairway bouy the pilot boat will bring the pilot to the ship that need assistance. Ships that are not able to moor unaided can request assistance from the two tug boats belonging to the port, "Aros" and "Hermes".
Notice of readiness
NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.
Documents
These are for agent, Customs and Immigration.
The agent will bring aboard the Master's Declaration and Customs Declaration for the Master to sign.
Health
Pratique is not required for Danish ports. Agent may request a Maritime Declaration of Health from the Master.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
EU border control:
Frozen foods to and from third countries are transported via the port of Aarhus. Veterinary control of food is undertaken Fodevarestyrelsen, Region Nord. Kontrolafdeling Aarhus from the address Osthavnsvej 31, 8000 Aarhus C.
Customs allowances: Two bottles of spirits and 200 cigarettes per person are allowed. If quantities in excess of the allowance are found, the penalty is a fine. The size of the fine depends on the amounts in excess of allowances.
Clearance is handled by the agent but Customs officers may board at any time to check the validity of the documents handed to the agent.
Immigration: There are no restrictions for crew. Passengers of nationalities which require a visa are only allowed transit in Denmark for 36 hours.
Notices and regulations
Danish Harbour regulations are enforced.
Vessels crossing the fairway to Nordhavn, Sydhavn and Osthavn must give way to those proceeding through it.
Sailing and rowing boats are not permitted in Nordhavn, Sydhavn and Osthavn, and must always give way to vessels in the fairway.
Discharge of oils or oily waste into the harbour is strictly prohibited.
Inflammable liquids may only be transferred in Basin No 6.
There is no restriction on working cargo at night.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Sep 2018Repairs
All types of repairs to machinery and hulls can be carried out.
Euroflex (previously Aros Maritime) Repair Yard at the NE end of Mellemarmen.
Major expansion of Aarhus Port approximately 300,000sqm which forms the first phase of the development. The working title of the expansion is Yderhavnen (the outer port). Expected to be completed by 2030 with the second phase of 650,000sqm which expected to be completed in 2048 and the third phase expected by 2060.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Most major oil companies are represented in the port. Supplies are effected from quay or road tankers. All grades available.
Stores: Available. Supplies are delivered from quay, road tankers or by barge.
Medical
Aarhus.
Transport
Nearest airport: Tirstrup, 32km N of Aarhus.
Nearest railway: Aarhus.
Working hours
Port: Normally, Mon-Fri 0700-1630hrs. Weekend working at overtime rates.
Aarhus Container Terminal East (APM Terminals): Mon-Thurs 0600-1800hrs, Fri 0600-1700hrs.
About Aarhus
updated Feb 2023Where it is
Aarhus port is situated in Aarhus Bay on the E coast of Jutland.
The port
Aarhus (also known as Arhus) has the largest container terminal in Denmark, handling approximately 50% of the country's total container traffic and is the country's largest public bulk port. The harbour is open all year round. The port has direct connection to the European motorway E45 and an international airport. The port covers a total land area of 186ha.
Principal imports are coal, grain, oil cake, fodder, copra oil, fertilisers, soya beans and timber. Main exports are agricultural products including dairy produce, vegetable oils, canned meat, bacon and condensed milk. Refrigerating plant, furniture and machinery are also exported.
Traffic
Approx 8,628,000t cargo, 718,000TEU, 5,000 vessels and 25,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Aarhus
What are the pilot arrangements at Aarhus?
Harbour pilots board in position 56°08.7'N 010°18.0'E.
What time zone is Aarhus in?
Local time at Aarhus 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 Aarhus?
The deepest berth listed is at APM Terminals Aarhus: 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Aarhus?
Brackish.
Which load line zone is Aarhus 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 Aarhus?
Port State Control at Aarhus: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Aarhus?
The UN/LOCODE of Aarhus is DKAAR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Aarhus 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.