PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Copenhagen
Pilot
updated Sep 2017Vessels should send request for pilots 6 hours in advance and confirm 1 hour before arrival. Pilot boards in position:
55°46.0'N 012°41.0'E (Middlegrund N),
55°31.0'N 012°43.0'E (Drogden),
56°07.5'N 012°30.0'E (Helsingor).
Knippelsbro and Langebro Bridges: Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 80m, except those which regularly visit the port.
Key data
updated Aug 2024Size limits
LOA 339.8m, beam 45m, 115,756DWT.
Water density
1005.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Zone for ships of 100m or less in length. Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 30.
Tides
Range 0.3m.
Storms between W and NW can raise water level by up to 1.4m; storms between E and S can lower it by 1.1m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amagervaerket Terminal | — | 200 m | 6 |
| Liquid Bulk Terminal Provestenen | 11.40 m | 275 m | 4 |
| Ocean Cruise Terminal | — | 340 m | 5 |
| Provestenshavnen | — | 190 m | 12 |
| Container Terminal | — | 179 m | 7 |
| Langelinie Pier Terminal | — | 316 m | 9 |
| Kronlobs Terminal | — | — | 3 |
| Orientka Terminal | — | 90 m | 10 |
| Laehavnen Terminal | — | — | 3 |
| Mellembassin (Nu Toldhavn) | — | 178 m | 5 |
| Nordre Toldbod Terminal | — | 199 m | 4 |
| Refshaleoen, Vest | — | 41 m | 5 |
| Faergehavn Nord | — | 94 m | 8 |
| Kalkbraenderihavnen | — | 100 m | 7 |
| Amaliehaven | — | 59 m | 3 |
All 18 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sondre Toldbod | — | 43 m | 4 |
| Havnegade | — | 34 m | 5 |
| Lautrupskaj Terminal | — | — | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2024Approach
The northern part of the N Harbour, Kalkbraenderihavnen and Ferryport N, has a separate entrance channel with a depth of 6.7m. The main entrance channel is called Kronlobet, with a depth of 10.0m. Entrance between the outer breakwaters is 153m wide.
The main channel through the port from the entrance to the S end of Langelinie has a depth of 9.1m. As far as the Free Port there is a maximum depth of 10.0m and from Langelinie Quay to Kvaesthusbroen 8.5m.
The outer harbour has a depth of up to 10.0m.
Port limits
The port limits extend S from N of Stubben (55°43.0'N 012°37.0'E) and includes those quays on the NE coast of Amager as far S as the S limit of Provestenshavnen (3nm SSE). The channel from Koge Bugt, known as Kalvebodlobet, is included at the S end.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Every vessel must report arrival, departure, shifting berth and on passing through Bomlobet, the channel at the S end of Yderhavnen which leads into Inderhavnen, in good time on VHF Ch 12 or 16.
Anchorages
Anchoring inside the breakwaters of the harbour shall not take place except in an emergency unless explicit permission has been obtained from the Port Authority.
Anchoring in the fairways to and within the harbour is forbidden. The anchor may be used for manoeuvres when the ship is going alongside only in cases of emergency or if deemed necessary by other special circumstances and shall not be dragged to steer the ship.
Outer anchorages: The positions of their centres are given from Middelgrunds Fort (55°43'N 012°40'E).
No 1: 2.5nm NE, reserved for vessels with a draught of 6.0m or over.
No 2: 2nm NNW, reserved for vessels of lesser draught.
No 3: 1nm NNW, reserved for vessels bound for Kobenhavns Havn.
Anchorage for large vessels can be obtained in Renden (55°43'N 012°38'E), off the E side of Stubben, or S of Middelpult.
Prohibited anchorage: Vessels must not anchor:
Within a rectangular area 1nm in extent which surrounds Middelgrunds Fort 55°43'N 012°40'E).
Within Kronlobet (55°43'N 012°37'N).
Within the approach channels to Kobenhavn, in the line of the directional lights and leading marks or in such a manner as to interfere or obstruct the safe and clear passage of other vessels. Vessels committing such an offence will be fined.
Restrictions
Vessels wishing to pass through the Knippelsbro and Langebro bridges must notify the Harbour Office VHF Ch 12 of their arrival in good time (at least 1 hour in advance).
Tugs
Compulsory for vessels over 100m in length, passing through bridges.
Mooring
Before an arriving vessel may obtain a berth, the vessel's agent shall apply to the Port Authority, giving all required information concerning the ship and its cargo.
Berths are usually allocated in order of ships' arrivals with the one exception when ships are on a regular run, i.e. are in possession of a certificate indicating a regular service route.
Shifting ship within the harbour is not permitted from the allotted berth without the permission of the Port Authority, but the Master is bound to shift his ship at the direction of the Port Authority should the latter consider it necessary. The Port Authority is authorised to have vessels removed at owners' expense and risk, should their orders in this connection be disobeyed. All expenses involved in such actions shall be borne by the owners of the vessel and owners cannot claim any compensation for resultant damage caused to the vessel during the shifting.
When a berth has been allocated to a vessel, demands may not be made for another berth later except when special circumstances prevail.
Charts and publications
BA 902, 2594, 2595, 903. Admiralty Pilot NP18, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2012Notice of readiness
NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.
Documents
These are for agent, Customs and Immigration.
The agent will bring aboard the Master's Declaration and Customs Declaration for the Master to sign.
Health
Pratique is not required for Danish ports. Agent may request a Maritime Declaration of Health from the Master.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed in large ports.
Customs and immigration
Clearance is handled by the agent, but Customs Officers may board at any time to check the validity of the documents handed to the agent.
Immigration: There are no restrictions for crew. Passengers of nationalities requiring a visa are only allowed transit in Denmark for 36 hours.
Flags
National flag is to be displayed.
Notices and regulations
Before entering or leaving Provestens Havn, vessels should obtain permission from either the Harbour Police, the Provestens Havn Harbour Master or the harbour assistants on VHF Ch16. If a vessel cannot enter or leave at the time originally quoted, permission should be sought again.
Whenever possible, boats from merchant ships should avoid going alongside the middle flight of stone steps at "Nordre Toldbod".
Vessels shall proceed at a moderate speed within the Harbour area to avoid damaging other vessels' moorings.
The greatest care shall be taken when sailing into or out of the canals and the basins on account of the traffic existing in the principal fairway of the Harbour.
All vessels shall keep to the right of the fairway, and keep themselves to the sides of the channels should their draught so permit.
Vessels crossing the harbour channels shall give way to all vessels sailing in the direction of the channels.
Besides the bye-laws laid down in the present regulations, the Special Regulations for navigation in certain Danish waters include the following:
No vessel shall make fast to wharves, bridges or fender equipment.
Vessels may only moor at the mooring installations placed for that purpose.
Moorings shall be placed in such a way that passage to and from quays is not impeded.
All vessels that lie immediately alongside a quay must be supplied with fenders. In case it is necessary for vessels to lie alongside each other, those vessels lying nearest to the wharf shall accept that the crew from vessels lying outboard shall always have unimpeded right of way across their decks which shall be illuminated by lights during the hours of darkness.
In order to avoid collision with passing vessels, ships, barges, etc, lying alongside other ships must be illuminated seaward by a light during the night.
Inspections
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: Danish Coastal Authority.
Position: Senior Project Manager.
Address: Postboks 131, DK-7620, Lemvig, Denmark.
Tel: +45 99 63 63 63.
Fax: +45 99 63 63 99.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.maritimsikring.dk
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Nov 2020Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: All grades of fuel, diesel and gas oil available from a bunker station, by tank ships/bunker boats and by lighter throughout port territory and in the roads.
Medical
Frederiksberg Hospital, 5.4km.
Crew change
Can be arranged by ships agent.
Transport
Nearest airport: Copenhagen Airport located at Kastrup, 6km.
Nearest railway: Copenhagen.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Thu 0700-1500hrs, Fri 0700-1430hrs. All weekend work is overtime.
About Copenhagen
updated Aug 2024Where it is
Copenhagen is located on the E coast of Sjaelland and the harbour is formed by a branch of the Sound that runs between the islands of Amager and Sjaelland.
The port
Copenhagen has merged with the port of Malmo to create Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP).
The port handles a wide variety of cargoes and comprises 3 sections; The North Harbour, The Inner Harbour and The Provestenen Harbour. Copenhagen's Free Port is located in the North Harbour. The port extends to 1,108ha with a land area of 413ha and a total quayage length of 39,651m.
A new cruise vessel quay has been built with three permanent terminal buildings.
Tourism is a major source of income with a continuing increase in the amount of visiting cruise liners.
Copenhagen harbour covers an extensive area which pleasantly combines residential areas with waterside activities. There are three main areas where cruise vessels dock: Langelinie Pier, the Freeport Piers of Nordhavn and the DFDS Cruise Terminal.
Traffic
Combined total for Copenhagen and Malmo: Approximate 12,500,000t of cargo, 150,000TEU, 4,700 vessels and 1,700,000 passengers are handled annually.
Questions about Copenhagen
What are the pilot arrangements at Copenhagen?
Vessels should send request for pilots 6 hours in advance and confirm 1 hour before arrival.
What time zone is Copenhagen in?
Local time at Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen?
The deepest berth listed is at Liquid Bulk Terminal Provestenen: 11.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Copenhagen?
1005.
Which load line zone is Copenhagen in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Zone for ships of 100m or less in length.
Who carries out Port State Control at Copenhagen?
Port State Control at Copenhagen: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Copenhagen?
The UN/LOCODE of Copenhagen is DKCPH.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Copenhagen 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.