Cuxhaven

Size limits

LOA 293.2m, draught 13.7m, beam 35.8m, 76,284DWT.

Water density

Brackrish. Ranges between 1000 to 1004.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone ll. Winter: Nov1-Mar 31. Summer: Apr 1-Oct 31.

Tides

Range 3.3m (spring), 2.9m (neaps).

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

Approach

Water depth of the River Elbe from the open sea to Cuxhaven is 14.6m CD, with up to 15.4m on the riverside quays.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Deviation Report (DR): A DR must be sent to Centre Cuxhaven Elbe Traffic on VHF 71.

Incident Report (IR) (DG/HS/MP): An IR must be sent to VTS Centre Cuxhaven Elbe Traffic on VHF 71.

Anchorages

The nearest anchorage is in Medem Reede, 2.5nm ESE of Cuxhaven, approximate position 53°51.5'N 008°46.5'E, depth 4.0-10.0m CD.

Restrictions

Water depth at the river quays up to 15.8m below CD. Water depth in wet basins up to 9.0m below CD.

Special permission is necessary for ships carrying dangerous goods.

Bridge: A bascule bridge spans the S end of Alter Hafen 0.3nm SSW of Cuxhaven Radar Tower. When open, the bridge has a useable width of 17.4m. The bridge operates 7 days a week but not in winds over force 8. Bridge signals are displayed on the starboard hand in each direction. A storm gate is situated close NE of the bridge.

Tugs

Available.

Mooring

Berthing at Cuxhaven is made difficult by the strong tidal streams in the vicinity of the harbour, especially during the outgoing tide. Particular care is necessary when entering basins as tidal streams set across their entrances and will influence the stern as soon as the bow is within the entrance; a bold and timely correction by rudder is therefore required. Large ships without tug and pilot assistance should enter port during slack tide only (1.5 hours after low tide or 1 hour after high tide) because of the strong cross currents encountered here.

Steubenhoft: Care is needed when berthing as streams on and below the surface may be different.

Amerikahafen: Both the incoming and outgoing tidal streams set strongly across the entrance, dividing in such a way that part continues in the river and part sets into the basin, causing eddies.

When entering, it is advisable to approach against the stream and to have anchors ready for letting go so as to help take the way off inside the basin.

Vessels may enter Amerikahafen at any time; those more than 60m long and 5.0m draught are advised to use tugs if entering other than at slack water.

Charts and publications

BA 3619, 8072. Int 1452/D44 (Elbmuendung), Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP286(2).

Communications

VHF: Cuxhaven Elbe Port: Ch 12 and 16,

Tel: +49 4721 714621, Fax: +49 4721 714623.

Cuxhaven Port Radio: Ch 69 provides information on the harbour situation, takes requests for harbour pilots and provides information on berths. This does not interfere with the duties of Cuxhaven Lock.

Cuxhaven Lock: Ch 69, Tel: +49 4721 500120, Fax: +49 4721 500250.

Note: Information is broadcast for the harbour and sluice areas.

Health

Quarantine clearance for vessels bound for Cuxhaven is effected by Hamburg port medical service which has an office in Cuxhaven. To expedite clearance, vessels bound for Cuxhaven must make a radio health report to Seaport Health Inspection Cuxhaven Tel: +49 4721 662819/662837.

Masters are required to complete a health certificate when the pilot boards. Clean ships will be granted free pratique on arrival alongside. Only infected ships will be detained.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowance: For each crew member 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits.

Notices and regulations

Right of way: Vessels entering from Die Elbe have right of way over vessels leaving. Vessels approaching from NW have right of way in the harbour entrances over those approaching from SE.

Sound signal: Vessels entering, leaving or crossing any of the basin entrances that open on to the river must make a sound signal of one long blast as a warning.

Traffic in basin entrances: Vessels may not overtake, nor proceed abreast, in the entrances, nor enter an entrance which is not yet clear.

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

Local shipyards undertake all types of repairs.

Dry docks

One floating dock for ships up to LOA 140m, beam 25m and 15,000DWT, lift capacity 7,700t. Several patent slips.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: All grades available by barge.

Stores: All types of ship's stores available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: HELIOS Klinik Cuxhaven (2.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Nordholz/Cuxhaven Airport (11km).

Nearest railway: Cuxhaven (1km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Where it is

Cuxhaven is situated on the S bank of the Elbe Estuary, 56nm downriver from Hamburg and opposite the western entrance to the Kiel Canal.

The port

The port is a multipurpose port as well as a major fishing port with tidal and non tidal berths, handling ocean going and coastal passenger vessels, ferries, Ro-Ro and container traffic. The port consists of the following harbours (from W - E): Fahrhafen, Ewerhafen, Alter Hafen, Vorhafen, Ritzebutteler Schleusenpriel, Alter Fischereihafen, Amerika-Hafen, Neuer Fischereihafen and Offshore Basis Cuxhaven.

Traffic

Approx. 2,650,000t of cargoes handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Cuxhaven?

Compulsory for vessels exceeding LOA 80m or 2,000GT.

What time zone is Cuxhaven in?

Local time at Cuxhaven 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 Cuxhaven?

The deepest berth listed is at Cuxhaven: 13.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cuxhaven?

Brackrish. Ranges between 1000 to 1004.

Which load line zone is Cuxhaven in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone ll.

Who carries out Port State Control at Cuxhaven?

Port State Control at Cuxhaven: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cuxhaven?

The UN/LOCODE of Cuxhaven is DECUX.

What crews who called at Cuxhaven 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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