Caen

Size limits

LOA 199.9m, beam 28.5m, draught 9.4m, 34,941DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean spring range 6.7m; mean neap range 3.7m.

HAT: 8.2m

MHWS: 7.6m

MHWN: 6.3m

MSL: 4.63m

MLWN: 2.6m

MLWS: 0.9m

LAT: 0.0m

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

Approach

Note: Owners and their agents are requested to apply to the Port Authorities to ensure conditions of admittance into the port when ships stays are foreseen during a neap water period as well as when their ships must call at this port with a draught above 7.92m.

The port upstream is maintained at a constant level. The locks enable the access of vessels of 28-30,000DWT loaded partially with 20,000t of cargo.

Vessels carrying dangerous cargo or hydrocarbons and over 1,600GT to consider the navigation controlled approach channel to be a mandatory access channel. To continue entering the channel these vessels must contact authorities on VHF channel 74, they are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre and must show the appropriate lights.

Note: Request for a bridge to open is one long blast, while a short blast notifies small craft in the canal to keep close to the bank for the passage of commercial vessels. The opening of a bridge is indicated with a green light, if a light is not seen or a red light is shown then the vessel should stop at least 400m from the bridge and wait until green light is visible.

Port limits

The outer port limits are defined by the following:

North limit the parallel of 49°18.1'N.

East limit the meridian of 000° 13.0'W.

West limit the meridian of 000°15.0'W.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A fixed white light on the E or on the W of message No 3 permits fishing and pleasure boats to enter the relevant lock.

Anchorages

Anchorage is available 1.0nm N or Ouistreham Buoy.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is forbidden in the locks or canal.

Restrictions

Dangerous Cargo: Vessel's bound to Caen with dangerous cargo of fertilizer can berth only when one or two 800m³/h pumps are in place.

Max speed within the canal: Max speed authorised is 7kts.

Opening times of W Lock: Normal opening of the West lock: Approx 3 hours before until 4 hours after HW.

Opening times of E Lock: Approx 2 hours before until 3 hours after HW.

Entrance of ships in advance on the tide, that is to say before two hours preceding the high tide, may be admitted according to their dimensions, draught and atmospheric conditions.

Bridges: The canal is crossed by the following moveable bridges:

Pont de Benouville (km 9), also known as Pegasus Bridge, with a width clearance of 40m.

Pont de Colombelles (km 4) with a width clearance of 30m.

Pont de la Fonderie, at the entrance to Bassin Saint-Pierre (Km 0), with a width clearance of 12m.

Vertical clearance: The maximum airdraught for Nouveau Bassin and Bassin Saint-Pierre is 33m over a width of 80m under Calix Autoroute Viaduct (Km 2).

Note: Vessels must maintain a distance of 400m when proceeding through the canal. Overtaking is prohibited within the canal except in the case of an emergency.

Tugs

Four tugs are available through Normandie Tug Services; Tug Caen-Ouistreham 5, Tug Caen-Ouistreham 4, Tug Caen-Ouistreham 3 and Tug Cherbourg 1. 2 tugs are recommended for vessels with beam over 17m.

Mooring

The minimum notice required for obtaining a berth is 24 hours.

Charts and publications

BA 1349, 2146, 2613. US Publication 191. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA to be advised 48 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ouistreham Port Control: Ch 16, 74, throughout 24 hours.

Pilots: Caen Pilot: Ch 16, 74. Tel: +33 2 3197 1681. Fax: +33 2 3197 4173. Email: [email protected]. Available 2.5hrs befor HW to 3hrs after HW.

Locks: Ch 74.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Health

Request for pratique to be made on arrival at the pilot station.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: For each crew member 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits.

New Customs Forms to be completed, for vessels sailing between 2 French ports.

Immigration may require Crew List and valid passports to be shown.

Notices and regulations

Tanker vessels to contact local authorities before arrival as the max draught will depend on the dimension and cargo on the vessel.

Vessels with draught over 7.92m should contact the local authorities.

Note: Ro-Ro ferry vessels are given priority within the canal as navigation is prohibited in the entrance channel leading to the locks during departure/arrival of Ro-Ro ferries.

Ouistreham-Caen—Telephone

Harbourmaster: 33-2-3136-2200

Port: 33-2-3135-6300

Port Authority: 33-2-3153-3461

Pilots: 33-2-3197-1681 or 33-6-1435-6211 (24 hours)

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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

Position: Head of Sea Defense.

Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France

Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30

Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53

Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Repairs are available for vessels and machinery, which do not require a drydock.

Dry docks

Nearest Drydocks in Le Havre or Cherbourg.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all quays.

Medical

University Of Caen Normandie Hospital Center, 15km from Transmarche Terminal.

Crew change

Possible, no restrictions.

Transport

Airport and railway station in Caen.

Working hours

Mon-Sat 0730-1200hrs and then 1400-1830hrs.

Where it is

Caen is situated approx 7nm from the sea. Access is via the Ouistreham Locks and Canal.

The port

Caen port consists of 6 terminals spanning from Ouistreham to Caen. Transmarche Terminal located outside of the harbour at Ouistreham handles cross channel fast ferries. The remaining 5 terminals, which handle fast ferries, prestigious ships, yachts, general cargo, bulk grain, salt, scrap metal, fertiliser and molasses, are located within the canal which travels SSW to Caen.

Traffic

Approx 4,000,000t cargo and 250,000 passengers annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Caen?

Note: Pilots may be contacted on VHF channel 16 or 74 however pilot maintains a watch on VHF Ch 74 from 1.5hrs to 9hrs after LW.

What time zone is Caen in?

Local time at Caen 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 Caen?

The deepest berth listed is at Blainville Terminal: 9.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Caen?

1000.

Which load line zone is Caen 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 Caen?

Port State Control at Caen: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Caen?

The UN/LOCODE of Caen is FRCFR.

What crews who called at Caen 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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