Bremen

Size limits

LOA 249.88m, beam 43m, draught 10.5m, 114,135DWT.

Water density

1008 - 1000.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

HW: 4.63m

LW: 0.43m

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

Approach

The port is approached directly from Die Unterweser, access to non-tidal basins being provided by Oslebshausen Schleuse, a lock.

Approach: The river fairway is lit. A water depth of 13.5m LAT is available as far as the Geeste River mouth; a depth of 10.45m to 8.65m between the Geeste River mouth and Nordenham/Brake and a depth of 8.7m between Brake and Bremen. Radar advice (VTS) and pilots available. Vessels above LOA 190m or a draught over 7.6m are restricted by tide.

The harbour basins lie mostly on the NE bank of the river and include Mittelsburener Hafen on the N bank at Km 11.5 to Km 9.0, Industriehafen entered by a lock at Km 9.0, Neustadter Hafen entered at Km 8.0 on the S bank, groups of tidal basins on the NE bank entered at Km 5.6 and Km 4.0, and berths for small vessels and a marina at Km 2.0 below Stephani Bridge.

Port limits

The port of Bremen incorporates the harbour installations of the satellite towns on Die Weser above and including Farge (26km). The port of the City of Bremen includes harbour installations above the vicinity of 11km, (53°07.5'N 008°40.5'E).

Traffic schemes and VTS

Deviation Report (DR) should be sent by vessels changing their Sailing Plan (SP) (e.g. when entering or leaving an anchorage). The DR must be sent to VTS Centre Bremen Weser Traffic on the appropriate VHF Channel.

Incident Report (IR) (DG/HS/MP) should be sent by all vessels when an accident impairs safely or environment. The IR must contain details of the incident and in the case of a DG (Dangerous Goods Report), HS (Harmful Substances Report) or MP (Marine Pollutants Report) all data of the written pre-entry report.

Anchorages

Anchorage with enough swinging room is available on the river at Hohe Weg Reede, approx 15nm N of Bremerhaven and for smaller ships at Blexen Reede, SW of the Geeste River mouth.

Outer anchorages are Neue Weser Nord (53°54.0'N 007°49.0'E), Hoheweg (53°47.0'N 008°08.0'E) and Blexen for smaller vessels only.

Restrictions

A rail bridge, the first of several fixed bridges in the City of Bremen with a minimum vertical clearance of 6.1m at MHW, spans the river at Km 1.4.

Tugs

Tugs available day and night, fitted with fire fighting equipment. No extra charge for using tug lines.

Mooring

Arrival and departure possible 24 hours a day.

Mooring service is compulsory with few exceptions and governed by Mooring Regulations for the Ports of Bremen. Vessel's master or agent should inform authorised mooring companies no later than 2 hours prior to arrival at designated berths and no later than 1 hour before departure. There will be a charge for mooring in locks. National operator mobile phones are available for rent through mooring companies. Boats are not available.

Charts and publications

BA 3407, 3623, DE5. Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA to be reported electronically at latest 24 hours prior to arrival, this should include ship data, security details, waste disposal information and dangerous cargo notification and sent via agent or directly to the Bremen Ship reporting Service.

In the German Bight and in the Rivers Ems, Jade, Weser, Elbe Vessel Traffic Services Systems (VTS) are established. All vessels are obliged to report their ship data before entering the territorial waters of the Federal Republic of Germany, at certain positions, to "German Bight Traffic" on VHF Ch 80.

Advise ETA approx 1 to 2 hours prior to arrival, information should be passed to Bremen Port Radio on VHF Ch 03.

ETD: Advise estimated time of sailing 2 hours before departure, inform Bremen Port Radio on VHF Ch 03.

Shifting: All ship movements have to be advised to Bremen Port Radio on VHF Ch 03.

Nuclear powered ships and gas tankers have to report to the Port Authority 48 hours before arrival, others 24 hours before arrival. Message has to include ship's name, GT, date and time of arrival, freshwater draught in metres, length of ship and if available special manoeuvring equipment and particulars subjecting the cargo (heavy lifts, overstanding cargo, etc).

Communications

VHF: Bremen Port Radio: Ch 03, 16.

Weser Pilot: VHF Ch 06, 16. Tel: +49 421 394044, Fax: +49 421 382243, Email: [email protected]. Available 24 hours.

Oslebshausen Lock Radio: Ch 12 (for lock traffic only).

Bremer Weserschieuse (Lock): Ch 20.

Bremen Port Radio works Ch 03 for Harbour Traffic Control.

Elbe/Weser Radio can be contacted for other communication requirements. From Weser Buoy to Bremen, the River Weser is completely covered by shore radar stations in service throughout 24 hours. If the pilot vessel is stationed between Lightbuoys No 17 and 19, approaching vessels can request radar service from Weser Buoy to the pilot cutter on Ch 22.

Harbour Masters Office: Tel: +49 421 361 8504, Fax: +49 421 496 8504, Email: [email protected].

Navigation warnings for the River Weser area are broadcast every full hour plus 20 minutes on Ch 02, 04, 07 and 22.

Bremen Weser Traffic on VHF Ch 16, 19, 21, 78 and 81. Tel: +49 421 537 8381, Fax: +49 421 537 8401, Email: [email protected].

Health

Port Health Authority officials usually board vessels upon arrival at berth.

Free pratique normally granted automatically.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Customs service is available throughout 24 hours.

Immigration: Immigration formalities are handled by Water Police who usually board the vessel on arrival.

Flags

Quarantine flag to be displayed until free pratique is granted. When oil is being transferred or if dangerous cargo of IMDG class 1 is onboard, a red flag must be flown during the day and a red light at night.

Notices and regulations

Dangerous Cargo: Cargoes of IMDG class 1, 5.2, 6.2 and 7 are subject to certain limitations. Port Authorities to be notified of dangerous cargo in transit and for import, prior to arrival. Contact Port Authorities as the responsible authority for the IMDG Code for further details. German Ordinance on Particular Requirements for the Entry of Vessels into German Territorial Waters to be obeyed.

Safety equipment and general arrangement plan of the vessel to be permanently available at the gangway.

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: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie.

Position: Head of Maritime Shipping Department.

Address: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt u. Hydrographie (BSH) Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency Section S42 - Martime Security

Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78

20359 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 3190 7420

Fax: +49 40 3190 5009

Mob: +49 40 3190 7777

Web: http://www.deutsche-flagge.de/

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Minor repairs are available at several shipyards in the area. Private firms are specialised in container repairs. Comprehensive repairs are available at Bremerhaven.

Dry docks

There are three slipways and a mechanical lift dock. The largest slipway has a lifting capacity of 2,000t and can handle vessels up to LOA 100m and 17.5m beam. The mechanical lift dock has a lifting capacity of 1,500t and can handle vessels up to LOA 70m and 16m beam.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available, connections at all berths.

Bunkering: All grades of oil available, usually by barge. Pre transfer check list to be obeyed.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital St. Joseph-Stift Bremen (7km).

Crew change

Crew change possible. Contact agent for visa requirements.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bremen Airport (5km).

Working hours

Mon-Fri: 0600-1400hrs, 0730-1530hrs, 1430-2230hrs and 2230-0600hrs.

Sat: 0600-1400hrs, 0730-1530hrs, 1430-2030hrs and 2030-0230hrs.

Sun and holidays: 0600-1200hrs, 1200-1800hrs, 1800-2359hrs and 0001-0600hrs.

Days preceding Good Friday, Ascension Day, Oct 3 are ordinary working days. Days preceding New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, May 1, Whit Sunday and Christmas Day: 1st shift 0600-1200hrs.

In urgent cases and to finish a vessel, overtime can be worked but must be ordered in advance before end of shift. During such overtime, 15 minutes break time is taken after one hour's work.

Where it is

Bremen is situated on the River Weser about 72 nm away from the North Sea,

Germany's most S'ly seaport

The port

Main port activities are the handling of general cargo,

containers, vehicles, bulk cargo, project logistics and forest products.

The port has excellent communication links with the N European hinterland. The port handles conventional general cargo, containers, vehicles, fruit, dry and liquid bulk cargoes. It has comprehensive ship repair and warehousing facilities. In addition there is a free-port area.

The entrance lock to the industrial port can accommodate Panamax vessels with a max draught of 9.45m. Because of the lock, the 7 wet dock basins are tideless, which greatly reduces the time required for loading and unloading.

Traffic

Approx 9,000,000t of cargo and 1,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bremen?

Corrected ETA messages should be sent 1 hour prior to arrival by VHF Ch 06 or 16 to Weser pilot vessel.

What time zone is Bremen in?

Local time at Bremen 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 Bremen?

The deepest berth listed is at Weserport Terminal 2: 10.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bremen?

1008 - 1000.

Which load line zone is Bremen in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Bremen?

Port State Control at Bremen: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bremen?

The UN/LOCODE of Bremen is DEBRE.

What crews who called at Bremen 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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