Ala

Size limits

Draught 5.8m

Water density

Brackish.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Nil.

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

Approach

The following draughts are authorised for the channels below:

Approach channel to the harbour 7.4m.

Channel to the N side of Ala Pier 5.3m.

Channel to the S side of Ala Pier 7.4m.

From a positon about 0.6nm E of Vallvik Light the track leads WNW between two buoys (lateral) (0.3nm S of Saggrund (61°12.0'N 017°11.7'E)) and then alters NNW on the alignment of Hovskar Leading Lights:

Front light (white triangle point up, red border on mast (61°13.3'N 017°10.4'E).

Rear light (white triangle point down, red border on mast) (92m from front light).

The alignment (338°) of these lights leads between the islets of Stangharet (61°13.1'N 017°10.4'E) and Busholm (61°13.0'N 017°10.8'E) into the outer harbour.

Anchorages

Vessels may anchor within Ljusnefjarden in positions either N or S of Nestorsgrund (61°12.3'N 017°10.5'E), in depths of 12.0 to 15.0m, clay, keeping well clear of the approach channel to Orrskarshamnen. Well sheltered anchorage can also be obtained in a depth of 10.0m, clay, 0.3nm WSW of Lekskaren, lying 0.3nm NW of Nestorsgrund.

Restrictions

Entry at night is restricted to vessels with a draught of no more than 5.5m

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 70. Admiralty Pilot NP20.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16.

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

Designated Authority: Swedish Maritime Administration/Swedish Maritime Safety Inspectorate.

Address: SE-601 78, Norrkoping, Sweden.

Tel: +46 11 191000

Fax: +46 11 101949

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Available.

Medical

Soderhamns sjnkhus.

Transport

Nearest airport: Arlanda International Airport, Stockholm.

Airport facilities: Soderhamn Airport.

Nearest railway: Soderhamn.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0700-1600hrs.

Where it is

Ala is situated on the N side of Ljusnefjarden.

The port

The harbour is operated by Stora Enso Timber AB for the export of timber and pulp.

The harbour is usually obstructed by ice from February to April.

What are the pilot arrangements at Ala?

Pilot service, available throughout 24 hours at Soderhamn Pilot Station.

What time zone is Ala in?

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

What is the water density at Ala?

Brackish.

Which load line zone is Ala in?

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

Who carries out Port State Control at Ala?

Port State Control at Ala: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ala?

The UN/LOCODE of Ala is SEALA.

What crews who called at Ala 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.

Read and add tips for Ala →