Brunsbuttel

Size limits

LOA 350.0m, draught 14.6m, beam 55.0m and DWT unrestricted on Elbehafen multipurpose terminal.

Water density

Elbeharbour: 1000-1008 according to tide.

Oil Harbour and Landeshafen Ostermoor: 1003 brackish water.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 2.9m (max ebb current 3.9kts; max flood current 2.9kts).

On the N limit of Heufeld-Reede the out going stream begins 20-40 minutes earlier than in the main channel.

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

Anchorages

Anchorage is available in the Elbe River.

Vessels with dangerous cargo can anchor in Neufeld-Reede West, which is on the NW side of the main channel between the E end of Medemrinne and the approach to Der Nord-Ostee Kanel, for bunkering and transfer of cargo. Oil, gas, and chemical tankers are permitted to anchor in Heufeld-Reede Ost only while waiting to enter Der Nord-Ostsee Kanal.

The use of anchors in the port is only allowed for manoeuvring. Anchorage near the compressed air barriers at the Oil Harbour and Landeshafen Ostermoor is prohibited.

Restrictions

The declared draught values are only granted at normal tidal and fairway proportions on the River Elbe and the approach area at the NE anchorage on the beam of the Elbeharbour.

Tugs

Available. Various small tugs plus 5 larger tugs (1,800-2,400bhp).

Gas carriers entering the port or turning must use at least 1 tug.

Mooring

For vessels berthing in the Elbeharbour no restrictions with regards to length, beam and height or with regards to day or night berthing. For vessels berthing at the Oil Harbour and Landeshafen Ostermoor there are restrictions for length and beam at the canal locks. No restrictions for day or night berthing.

To prevent movement of gas carriers while loading or discharging minimum admissible mooring are, 3 head lines, 3 stern lines, 1 spring fore and aft.

For loading or discharging gas carriers the following minimum number of crew members are required, a nautical officer, an engineer officer and 2 seamen/deckhands.

Charts and publications

BA 8071, DE 42, 46. Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP286(2)

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA to be advised 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.

ETA to include the following information: Vessel's name/callsign, arrival time and description of cargo.

For dry cargo ships: ETA to include the following information: Type of vessel, number of hatches; height of top edge of hatches above water level,

For tankers: ETA to include the following information: Number and nominal diameter of manifold connection, existing damages related to vessel's hull, tanks and deck pipes.

Communications

Satcom to be used if available. Elbe Weser Radio for VHF. Norddeich Radio for short wave communications.

VHF: Norddeich Radio "DAN", Elbe-Wesser-Radio "DAC".

Elbe River pilots: Ch 13.

Kiel Canal pilots: Ch 09.

Brunsbuttel Elbe Port: Ch 06, 16.

Brunsbuttel Elbe Traffic: Ch 16, 68.

Telephone: +49 (0)4852 8840, Fax: +49 (0)4852 88426, email: [email protected]

Notice of readiness

Notice of Readiness to be tendered by telex or fax at "Elbe-1" pilot station or on arrival at load or discharge berth and load ready/ready for discharge. Will be signed for receipt on arrival.

Documents

All further documents will be prepared by the agents.

Health

Pratique is automatically granted to vessels entering the harbours for loading/unloading.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificate renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allow 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits for each crew member. Master to prepare Crew Declarations. Customs Officer will place bonded stores under seal. Immigration Officers will check passports of all crew members/passengers before issuing shore passes (valid during stay).

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

Only minor repairs can be carried out. Shipyards/dry docks available at Hamburg, Cuxhaven and Wewelsfleth.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from hydrants at berths or by barge.

Bunkering: All grades available, supplied by barge at anchorages.

LNG bunkers available in Elbehaven via tank truck.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Brunsbuttel Hospital.

Crew change

No restrictions. Crew changes can be arranged through agents and local Immigration office.

Transport

Nearest airport: Hamburg, 90km.

Nearest railway: Brunsbuttel for cargo traffic, rail connection to Elbe Port, 3 railways tracks each 450m on the quay. Port owned shunting yard. Wilster station for passenger.

Road connection: Bundesstrasse 5 (in extension of the BAB A 23), direct access to the port, rail/truck scales available.

Working hours

Tankers throughout 24 hours. Bulk and other cargoes, Mon-Fri 0700-1600hrs, 1600-0600hrs overtime. Sat 0700-1200hrs and 1200hrs onwards, overtime.

Where it is

Brunsbuttel is located at the mouth of the Elbe Estuary at the W end of the Kiel Canal.

The port

Brunsbuttel consists of four harbours, the main harbour being Elbeharbour (Elbehafen) which is directly on the Elbe River and three harbours inside the Kiel Canal. The port handles all traffic entering and leaving the SW end of the canal through locks which divide the port into Elbehafen Brunsbuttel and Brunsbuttel Binnenhafen, tidal and non tidal areas, respectively, where a variety of commercial cargoes are handled. The majority of cargo handled at Elbeharbour is crude oil, liquid gas and a wide range of bulk commodities. The following cargoes are handled: Heavy lifts, timber, iron, steel, bulk cargoes such as coal, ore, fertiliser, stones and liquid cargoes such as crude oil and liquid gas.

Traffic

Approx 10,000,000t are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Brunsbuttel?

Tankers over 10,000GT and other vessels over 60,000GT must take a pilot at "Deutsche Bucht" Light Vessel.

What time zone is Brunsbuttel in?

Local time at Brunsbuttel 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 Brunsbuttel?

The deepest berth listed is at Elbehafen Multipurpose Terminal: 13.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Brunsbuttel?

Elbeharbour: 1000-1008 according to tide.

Which load line zone is Brunsbuttel 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 Brunsbuttel?

Port State Control at Brunsbuttel: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Brunsbuttel?

The UN/LOCODE of Brunsbuttel is DEBRB.

What crews who called at Brunsbuttel 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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