PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Aasiaat
Pilot
updated May 2010Not compulsory, but advisable. Unlicensed pilot is available by arrangement with Port Operator, if requested with ETA. VHF contact can usually be established within 30nm of the port. Messages can be sent through Aasiaat, callsign "OYR". Pilots normally board outside the harbour entrance.
Key data
updated Jan 2017Size limits
LOA 136m, draught 7.5m.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 2.6m springs, 1.5m neaps. Between the island in the vicinity of Egedesminde, the tidal stream is weak and sets E until 3 hours after high water and W until 3 hours after low water.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Quay | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
Vessels making for Aasiaat from SW are recommended to approach on an ENE course from between Akugdlit and Vester Ejland, taking care to avoid a 6.4m patch 3.0nm WNW of Manermiut.
Direction:
Leading Lights (shown May 15-Aug 1) are established in Egedesminde, 278m E of Transitoen and in line (140°) they lead W of Torveo into the roadstead: Front Light (grey framework tower, 13m high (68°42.7'N 052°52.6'W). Rear Light (grey framework tower, 15m high, 100m SE).
Leading Lights (shown May 15-Aug 1) are established on Naesset, situated 185m SSW of Transitoen, and in line (178°) lead into the inner harbour W of Transitoen
Front Light: (wooden mast, topmark red triangle, point up, 3.0m in height, 68°42.5'N 052°53.2'W). Rear Light (wooden mast, topmark red triangle, point down, 4.0m in height).
Anchorages
Anchorage can be obtained 0.4nm SW of Vester Ejland Light (68°37.0'N 053°32.0'W) in depths of 33.0m, which is exposed to S winds. Anchorage can be obtained in the roadstead but is not recommended as swinging room is limited, poor holding ground and is subject to strong winds. More room is available in the W entry channel. Anchorage light beacons (aligned 268° shown May 15-Aug 1) are exhibited at the N extremity of Raeveo.
Front light: (mast, topmark red triangle, point up, 5.0m in height, 68°42.8'N 052°53.4'W). Rear light (mast, topmark red triangle, point up, 5.0m in height)
Leading Lights:
The anchor berth in the roadstead is in a depth of approx 18.0m at the intersection of the alignment of the main harbour leading lights (140°) and anchorage light beacons (aligned 203°, shown May 15-Aug 1).
Front light: (mast, topmark red triangle, point up, 6.0m in height 68°42.6'N 052°53.0'W). Rear light: (mast, topmark red triangle, point down 5.0m height, 15m SSW).
In the inner harbour there is an anchor berth for vessels not more than approx 60m long. It lies in depths of approx 13.0m, good holding ground, at the intersection of the alignment (178°) of Maessert Leading Light and anchorage light beacons (aligned 050°, shown May 15-Aug 1) established on the W side of Transitoen.
Anchorage Light Beacons:
Front light: (post, topmark red diamond, 68°42'N 052°53'W). Rear light post, topmark red diamond, 10m NE). Vessels using the berth can also moor stern to mooring rings on Naesset, where there is a fuel installation.
Restrictions
Contact port officials for further information.
Tugs
One harbour tug available.
Charts and publications
BA 261, 251. Admiralty Pilot NP12.
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
To be advised to Port Operator 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Port Operator Ch 16. Call "Aasiaat Havnekontor". There is a VHF RT in Egedesminde harbour office.
Documents
A Vessel Manifest is required.
Customs and immigration
If there is anything to declare, contact KNI.
Inspections
ISPS
For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
About Aasiaat
updated May 2010Where it is
Aasiaat, also known as Egedesminde, is situated on the NW coast of Greenland.
The port
Aasiaat is the most important centre for distribution of supplies in N Greenland. The port handles general cargo and containers. The open season is May to Dec, when the port normally remains ice free. Wet ice normally appears off Egedesminde in early Jan and begins to clear in early Apr, after which ice floes may enter the fairways and hinder navigation. The port is closed during the winter.
Questions about Aasiaat
What are the pilot arrangements at Aasiaat?
Not compulsory, but advisable.
What time zone is Aasiaat in?
Local time at Aasiaat is UTC−2. Clocks go to UTC−1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−2 on 31 Oct 2027.
Which load line zone is Aasiaat in?
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Aasiaat?
The UN/LOCODE of Aasiaat is GLJEG.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Aasiaat 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.