Drammen

Size limits

LOA 250m, beam 32.2m, 20,000DWT.

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

Tidal variation is negligible in Drammen Fjord. The tide stream in Svelvik can be up to 2-6kts.

The lunitidal interval (i.e. the interval of time between the transit of the moon over the local meridian and the next high water) is about 5 hours. Mean range between Spring HW and LW is about 30cm. HW and LW occur on average 37 minutes later than at Nevlunghavn. Meteorological conditions have great influence on the water level.

The outgoing current can periodically reach a speed of about 5kts and the ingoing rate about 2-3kts, although the outgoing current runs for longer than the ingoing. The current is otherwise dependent on weather conditions.

With strong SW'ly wind the current often sets inwards the whole day and outwards with N'ly winds. During flood periods in Drammenselva (about mid-summer) or after long periods of rain, the outgoing current, according to older sources, has reach 6-8kts. Such rates, however, have not been observed in recent years, possibly because the navigational channel has been dredged and straightened.

The outgoing current creates strong back eddies along the W side. The ingoing current is strongest on the E side.

Current conditions in Svelvikstrommen are also influenced by water levels in Olsofjorden. When the water there rises due to wind conditions, an ingoing salt water current will form in the navigational channel up towards Svelvik. When this meets the fresh water current from Drammenselva during the ebb, it will frequently create eddies, or a wedge with point turned towards Blindeskjaera. In general it is easiest to make passage a little before high tide, as there is then higher water and weakest current.

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

Approach

The port is approached from the Skagerrak by way of Oslo Fjord and Drammen Fjord. Drammen Fjord is entered through Svelvik Strait, with a draught limit of 9.1m.

Svelvikstrommen has only one navigational channel. The depth in the dredged channel is 11.0m and the seabed width is 100m. The channel is well marked by leading lights and spar buoys.

Vessels up to LOA 250m pass the Svelvik Strait without any difficulties. A depth of 11.0m is normally guaranteed and represent no problems for most vessels up to 60,000DWT or Panamax size.

Traffic schemes and VTS

In certain narrow waters passing other vessels is not permitted. In such areas a vessel proceeding in the same direction as another vessel shall maintain a distance of at least half a nautical mile from that vessel. In certain other narrow localities passing arrangements must be agreed beforehand. Agreements shall be in a Scandinavian language. If agreement can not be made in a Scandinavian language, no passing can take place. If the officer responsible on the bridge is unable to communicate without difficulty in a Scandinavian language and the vessel does not have a pilot onboard, the vessel traffic centre must be informed of this at the earliest possible time in order for it to decide whether the vessel can use waters where passing arrangements have to be agreed beforehand. The vessel traffic centre will then consider whether it is possible to close the waters to other vessels to enable the vessel in question to navigate the waters alone, or whether a pilot must taken aboard.

If a vessel carrying polluting cargo in bulk is along side a quay, mooring or anchorage it must have secured and lowered into the water ahead and astern a spark-retarding and fireproof towline with an eye. The same precaution should also be considered for vessels carrying hazardous cargo.

Dredging equipment in the harbour must at all times be passed with caution.

Anchorages

The pilot service supplies information regarding anchorage.

Vessels which require an anchorage but have not been allocated one can anchor at Ballasthavna E of Holmen. The holding ground is good, sand and clay.

Restrictions

The harbour is kept open by icebreakers Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Speed limit of 5kts within harbour area.

Bridges with vertical clearance of 5.5m cross the harbour at the W end of Holmen.

Tugs

Fifteen tugs ranging from 900-4,000bhp are available. Towage within the port area is available throughout 24 hours. The service is provided by Bukser og Bjergning AS. Harbour assistance is advisable for large vessels such as car carriers, container ships and reefer vessels.

Charts and publications

BA 4101. Admiralty Pilot NP56, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Arrival Notification, in the prescribed format, to the Navy should be made 24 hours before entering Norwegian territorial waters (baseline). See country information.

Additional ETAs should be sent 12 and 6 hours prior to arrival to the vessel's agent. Electronic arrival reports are available on www.drammenhavn.no.

Exact ETA has to be given to Horten VTS on VHF Ch 18, at a range of 10nm.

Communications

Radio: Any Norwegian Coastal Radio station can be used for passing messages at long range. All coastal radio stations are operated 24 hours a day throughout the year.

Inmarsat communication available up to Lat 75°N. Vessels are required to participate in Oslofjord VTS. Drammen Harbour Control is available on VHF between 0700 and 1600hrs from Monday to Friday.

VHF: Tjome Radio callsign "LGT", Farsund Radio callsign "LGZ" and the Port Authority (callsign "Drammenhavne Radio") maintains VHF radio telephone watch Mon-Fri, 0630-1530hrs. No service on Sat, Sun and holidays.

Port: Ch 16, 11, 12, 19. Callsign "Drammenhavne Radio".

It is compulsory for all vessels using the port to monitor VHF Ch 16.

VTS: Ch 18, 19.

Standard messages

See Country Information.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered in accordance with Charter Party when vessel is ready to start loading/discharging. When berth is not available for loading/discharging NOR to be tendered when anchoring or according to Charter Party.

Health

A health inspection is only necessary in the event of any suspected disease or fever onboard.

Quarantine: Vessels arriving under a quarantine flag or under orders to carry out quarantine shall be anchored in the outer harbour until the Health Authority has given an order or permission to move.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Customs allowance for crew and officers is that stated on the Personal Effects Declaration. Goods on the declaration are not to be taken ashore. Penalties for non compliance are severe fines.

Immigration: Board at first port of call (cruise ships only). They require a Crew List and a Passenger List and will make random passport inspections. All passports should be available for a quick clearance which normally takes 15-20 minutes.

Notices and regulations

All powered vessels shall travel at slow speed, not exceeding 5kts in the harbour area, within a straight line drawn between Tangen church and Tommerterminalen. Vessels must not be moved within the harbour area without prior permission from the Harbour Authority. Dredging equipment in the harbour must at all times be passed with caution.

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.

Inspection of ships in Norway

Norwegian Maritime Authority

Address: Smedasundet 50 A, Haugesund

Tel: +47 52 74 51 30

Fax: +47 52 74 50 01

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Norwegian Maritime Authority

Address: Smedasundet 50 A, Haugesund

Tel: +47 52 74 51 30

Fax: +47 52 74 50 01

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sjofartsdir.no

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: DNV

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Norwegian Maritime Authority

Port Security Information: Norwegian Costal Administration

Telephone: +47 22 65 58 20

Website: www.kystverket.no

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

Repairs

A large repair facility is located on the W bank of the Drammen Fjord.

Dry docks

Drammen Yard AS operates one floating drydock.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Supplied to ships on the basis of measured volume. Water supplies are limited to the following quays - Langbrygga, Holmen South and Kattegat.

Bunkering: All types of bunkering available with delivery by barge or road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Buskerud Sentralsykehus, 2km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Oslo Airport Gardemoenat, 80km.

Airport facilities: Domestic connections.

Nearest railway: Drammen, 2km.

Working hours

Mon-Fri, 0700-1100hrs, 1130-1500hrs and Sat, 0700-1200hrs. Labour must be ordered not later than 1500hrs the day before arrival. For Sat and Mon, labour must be ordered before 1500hrs on Fri. Overtime can be arranged through agent.

Where it is

Drammen is located on the W side of Oslo Fjord on the S coast of Norway, 45km SW of Oslo.

The port

The port of Drammen is largely known for being one of Norway's largest ports for importing motor vehicles. It also handles containers, offshore installations, steel, timber products, general cargo and wet and dry bulk cargoes.

Traffic

Approx 4,600,000t of cargo, 65,000TEU and 2,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Drammen?

Pilotage is available.

What time zone is Drammen in?

Local time at Drammen is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Drammen?

1000.

Which load line zone is Drammen 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 Drammen?

Port State Control at Drammen: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Drammen?

The UN/LOCODE of Drammen is NODRM.

What crews who called at Drammen 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.

Read and add tips for Drammen →