Bremerhaven

1. Bremerhaven boarding Pilot boards53°52.8′N 007°46.5′E
2. Bremerhaven boarding Pilot boards54°07.0′N 007°28.4′E
3. Bremerhaven pilot disembarkation position a Pilot boards53°59.0′N 007°30.0′E
4. Bremerhaven pilot disembarkation position b Pilot boards54°02.8′N 007°37.4′E
5. Bremerhaven boarding Pilot boards53°53.0′N 007°25.0′E

Size limits

Max LOA 400m, beam 61.51m, draught 14.5m, 228,149DWT.

Vessels of up to LOA 270m can only pass the locks under certain conditions and at certain times of the tide.

Water density

1008-1012.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 4.0m (springs), 3.6m (neaps).

Current rates of 2.5kts to 3.5kts.

Caution: Tidal streams in Die Weser set across the entrances to Nordschleuse, Kaiserschleuse and Die Geeste at rates of up to 1.5kts.

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

Approach

Bremerhaven is approached directly from Die Assenweser, access to non-tidal berths is via three sets of sea locks.

The river fairway is lighted. A water depth of 14.0m is available as far as Geeste river mouth.

Panamax vessels drawing above 12.8m and post Panamax vessel drawing above 12.5m are restricted by tide.

Approach to River Weser (Sea Pilot) buoy Weser. River Weser: Buoys and leading lights from outer buoy Weser up to Bremerhaven, length 32nm, Weser dredged up to 12.0m.

Uberseehafen: Nordschleuse and Kaiserscheulse are approached from Die Weser through fore-harbours, the entrance to each being marked by lights.

Bremerhaven-Geestmunde: is entered from Die Weser between moles, the outer ends of which are 95m apart and marked by lights, at the mouth of Die Geeste.

The mutual visibility from small vessels is obstructed by the height of these moles and all vessels entering or leaving the harbour must make a sound signal of 8 sec duration.

Fischereihafenschleuse is approached through a fore harbour opening on the S side of Die Geeste.

Port limits

Inner harbour: Between moles at stream, 60m off "Stromkaje" and "Columbuskaje".

Traffic schemes and VTS

Deviation Report (DR): This report 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 Bremerhaven Weser Traffic on the appropriate VHF Ch.

Incident Report (IR): An IR must be sent by all vessels when an accident impairs safety or environment.

Restrictions

The river fairway is lighted and dredged to a depth of 14.0m as far as Geeste River mouth. Panamax vessels with a draught of more than 12.8m and post Panamax vessels drawing over 12.5m are restricted by tide.

Empty gas or chemical tankers must be gas free.

Fog Restrictions: Tankers with a total amount of cargo more than 2,000t are prohibited to proceed on the river Weser if the visibility is less than 1,000m. Smaller tankers need a visibility of 500m.

Lock dimensions: Vessels up to 220m can use the lock under certain weather conditions and at certain time of the tide.

Tugs

Many tugs available day or night from various companies. Tugs fitted with fire fighting equipment available. Sufficient number of tugs available day and night.

Mooring

Along the river, vessels are usually berthed against tidal current. Within the lock protected basins, vessels usually berth with bow in direction of the locks. Arrival and departure possible throughout 24 hours.

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.

A section of the OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines:

Mooring lines should be arranged as symmetrically as possible about the midship point of the vessel, (symmetrical arrangement is more likely to ensure good load distribution than an asymmetrical arrangement).

Breast lines should be oriented as perpendicular to the longitudinal centre line of the vessel and as far aft and forward as possible.

Spring lines should be oriented as parallel as possible to the longitudinal centre line the vessel.

The vertical angle of the mooring lines should be kept to a minimum

Generally, mooring lines of the same size and type (material) should be used for all leads. If this is not possible due to available equipment, all lines in the same service, i.e. breast lines, spring lines, head lines, etc. should be the same size and type. For example, all spring lines could be wire and all breast lines synthetic.

If tails are used on the wires, the same size and type of tail should be used on all lines run out in the same service.

Mooring lines should be arranged so that all lines in the same service are about the same length between the vessel's winch and the shore bollard. Line elasticity varies directly with line length and shorter lines will assume more load.

Charts and publications

BA 3405, 3406, 3621, 3617, 3618, 3621. German charts 1413, 1456, 1457. Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The ETA message has to include also details of waste disposal (last port where waste was discharged), quantity of waste specified by type actually to be discharged, quantities of waste remaining onboard and dedicated waste storage capacity onboard).

River Weser: Ships bound for Bremerhaven should report their ETA at the pilot station, 24 hours prior to arrival. Telegram address "Weserlotse II Bremerhaven". Alterations of the ETA must be corrected as soon as possible. Notification at the latest 1 hour before arrival at the pilot station on VHF Ch 06 "Weser Pilot".

Additional notification for tankers should include number of consignments, name and weight of substances, hazard class and UN No, pollution category assigned by MARPOL, if and when applicable.

Notification also applies to empty tankers which are not gas free. In this case, details of previous cargo must be notified. Empty tankers with inerted cargo tanks must be notified stating in addition that they are inerted

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

Docking Pilot: Notice must be given to the Harbour Master by VHF Ch 12 Bremerhaven Port Radio, 2 hours prior to arrival at Bremerhaven pilot, at the latest 1 hour prior to arrival.

ETD/Shifting: All vessels are requested to send an ETD message to the Port Authority at least 2 hours before shifting or sailing. Any changes to be reported immediately.

Dangerous Goods: Consignments of dangerous cargo due to be brought into the port area whether for the purpose of cargo handling or in transit, must be notified electronically to the respective cargo handling facility via the Dangerous Goods Information System.

In particularly justified cases the respective cargo facility may agree to a different way to submit the notification. The notification is required at the latest prior to arrival of the consignment in port. Notwithstanding the previous obligations, dangerous goods of the hazard classes 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 5.2 (with subsidiary risk of class 1), 6.2 and 7, shall be notified latest 12 hours prior to arrival of consignment in port. For goods of class 7, copies of all legally required documents shall be attached to the notification.

Communications

VHF: Port Operations: Tel: +49 471 596 13416, Email: [email protected].

Harbour Master: Tel: +49 471 596 13416. Email: [email protected].

Bremerhaven Weser Port: Ch 14, 16.

Bremerhaven Port Radio: Ch 12, for Harbour Traffic Control.

Bremerhaven Pilot Station: Ch 06, 16, Tel: +49 471 944242, Fax: +49 471 944 2439, Email: [email protected].

Bremerhaven North Lock Radio: Ch 10.

Fischereihafen Lock Radio: Ch 10.

Neuer Hafen: Ch 69.

Ship-to-ship: Ch 08.

VTS Bremerhaven Weser Traffic: Ch 02, 04, 05, 07, 16, 21, 22, 82. Tel: +49 471 483 5333, Fax: +49 471 483 5200, Email: [email protected]. Available 24 hours.

Radar assistance: From "Weser" Buoy to Bremerhaven the River Weser is fully 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, also in English, from "Weser" Buoy to the pilot cutter via Ch 22.

Navigational warnings: The River Weser area will be broadcast every full hour plus 20 minutes, via Ch 02, 04, 07 and 22.

Notice of readiness

The time for tendering NOR depends on the Charter Party; to be tendered to the agent.

Health

Free Pratique is granted automatically. Formalities are handled by the Port Health Authority, boarding vessel usually upon arrival. Vessels should prepare the 'Maritime Declaration of Health". This form is according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and contains:

1. A list of ports the vessel has entered during the last 30 days

2. Statement of health of crew/passengers

3. If the vessel has entered an area with infectious diseases

4. Sanitary measures

5. Particulars of any case of illness or death on board

6. Fumigated cargo/containers

7. Valid Sanitation Control Certificate or Exemption Certificate

8. Ship's particulars

9. Crew list IMO FAL Form 5

Vaccination services will be carried out on request.

Customs and immigration

Customs

Free Port Areas:

Container Terminal, Columbus-Kaje with Passenger Terminal & Fruit Terminal, Uberseehafen (Nordhafen, Osthafen), Kaiserhafen II & III

At all other berths customs will board the vessel on arrival.

On arrival following documents must be available:

1. Cargo document (cargo manifest, bill of lading)

2. Crew effects declaration (IMO FAL form no 4)

3. Vessel store declaration (IMO FAL form no 3)

Immigration:

Prior to arrival the master shall provide a crew and passenger list (IMO FAL Form 5). For all foreign crew members and passengers it is compulsory to have valid passport documents to enter German territory or to stay in the harbour.

Formalities are handled by Federal Police, boarding the vessel usually on arrival.

Flags

Quarantine flag to be displayed until free pratique is granted. When transferring oil or having onboard dangerous cargo of IMDG class 1, red flag to be displayed during daytime or a red light during night time.

Notices and regulations

Harbour Regulations:

Signals: Quarantine flag to be displayed until free pratique is granted. When transferring oil or having onboard dangerous cargo of IMDG class 1, red flag to be displayed during daytime or a red light during night time.

Dangerouse Cargo: Cargoes of IMDG class 1, 5.2, 6.2 and 7 are subject to certain limitations. All dangerous cargo must be notified to the Port Authority by electronic message 24 hours prior to arrival or after sailing from the previous port of call. Contact the Port Authority for further details (port safety department, Tel: +49 471 596 13405, Fax: +49 471 596 13422, Email: [email protected]). German ordinance on particular requirements for the entry of vessels into German territorial waters to be observed.

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

All kinds of ship repairs can be undertaken in several shipyards. Slipways for vessels up to 80m in length.

There are private companies specialised in container repairs.

Dry docks

Cranes: Floating/Mobile Cranes: Cranes with a capacity of up to 600t are available. Mobile cranes with different lifting capacities can also be hired.

Dock cranes, 2 x max 8t. 1 shore gantry crane, max 60t. Handling of ships in afloat condition: LOA approx 200m, beam approx 29m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths, rate 30m³/hr.

Bunkering: All grades of fuel and diesel oil available, usually by barge.

Note: Before bunkering can start, the pretransfer checklist has to be filled out and signed.

Stores: Available.

Medical

St Joseph Hospital, Wiener Str, 3km. Port doctor and vaccination service available on request via VHF Ch 12.

Crew change

Possible, contact agents for visa requirements.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bremen, 65km. Domestic and European connections.

Airport facilities: Domestic and European connections, full crew change and air freight facilities.

Nearest railway: Bremerhaven Hauptbahnhof, 5km.

Working hours

Working hours are form Monday - Friday 08:00 to 16:00 but within port area 24/7 service.

Where it is

Bremerhaven is located on the River Weser, 32nm from the North Sea.

The port

It is a major general cargo port specialising in container traffic, automobile imports and exports, fruit imports and passenger (cruise traffic).

The port is divided into the Uberseehafen area and the Fischereihafen area. Except for 2 quays along River Weser (container, passenger and part of the fruit terminal), the port is protected by locks.

The port is normally ice free; ice only occurring in extreme conditions.

Traffic

Approx. 56,000,000t of cargo, 4,900,000TEU merged traffic figure with Bremen Port, 240,000 passengers and 6,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Bremerhaven?

The pilot boards at Bremerhaven boarding, 53°52.8′N 007°46.5′E. Bremerhaven has 5 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Bremerhaven in?

Local time at Bremerhaven 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 Bremerhaven?

The deepest berth listed is at EUROGATE Container Terminal Bremerhaven: 14.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bremerhaven?

1008-1012.

Which load line zone is Bremerhaven 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 Bremerhaven?

Port State Control at Bremerhaven: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bremerhaven?

The UN/LOCODE of Bremerhaven is DEBRV.

What crews who called at Bremerhaven 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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