PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Emden
Key data
updated Aug 2021Size limits
LOA 255m, beam 40m, draught 10.7m, 57,540DWT.
Water density
Outer Harbour 1010-1020, Inner Harbour 1008-1010.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
The tide at the port entrance rises about 3.6m at springs and 3.3m at neaps.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVAG | 10.50 m | 250 m | 6 |
| Omya | — | 255 m | 1 |
| Petrotec | — | 232 m | 1 |
| Outer Harbour | — | 255 m | 2 |
| Brons Terminal | — | 167 m | 1 |
| Borkum Ferry | — | — | 1 |
| EMS-Beton | — | — | 1 |
| OWS | — | — | 1 |
| Statkraft Markets | — | — | 1 |
| WEC Turmbau Emden | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2016Approach
Entry is made directly from Die Ems in Emden Fahrwasser.
Directions from Knock to Emden: Follow the channel buoys of Emden Fahrwasser to Emden harbour entrance.
Allowance should be made for the tidal stream which runs directly across the harbour entrance.
Port limits
A line between breakwater lights (F R and F G) of West mole and East mole. A line of 50m distance parallel to the Emskai.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Vessel Traffic Service: Description: This system is mandatory for all vessels over 40m in length and all vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.
Anchorages
Vessels waiting to enter the port can anchor in the vicinity of Westerems Lightbuoy in depths of 13.0-16.0m, or in Alte Ems.
Vessels usually have to anchor at Mowensteert (53°29.0'N 006°49.3'E), when they arrive before HW and their draught does not allow them to continue their voyage.
Restrictions
Depth restriction on vessels up to 10.6m draught for normal HW conditions.
Deep draught vessels are advised to navigate the shallow sections of the maintained fairway of Die Ems on a rising tide.
Tugs
Available. Four are normally used for vessels over 30,000t.
Mooring
Contact: Emden Verbehrsgesellschaft AG, Tel: +49 4921 895370.
Charts and publications
BA 3632. Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA should be sent as early as possible to agent.
Communications
VHF: Pilot station Emden: Ch 12.
Pilot Station (Inbound): Ch 09. Tel: +49 4922 9235 8936. Email: [email protected].
Pilot Station (Outbound): Ch 12. Tel: +49 4921 24000. Email: [email protected].
Tugs: Ch 10.
Emden port/locks: Ch 13.
EMS Traffic: Ch 15, 16, 18, 20, 21. Tel: +49 4927 1877281. Email: [email protected]. MMSI: 002113004.
Notice of readiness
There are no unusual circumstances. Normally the ship is fast alongside the quay, depending on the terms and conditions of the Charter Party.
Documents
Note: In the case of Cargo Manifests, attention is specifically drawn to "Less than Container Load" (LCL) or "Freight All Kinds" (FAK) containers. It is essential that manifest details of the contents of such containers include package marks, numbers, quantity and description of the various goods.
Health
Vessels arriving for the first time obtain the Maritime Declaration of Health form from the pilot. Regular vessels obtain the form at the clearance for the next trip. There are no special health regulations. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemptions can be renewed, contact agent in advance.
Customs and immigration
Customs: Customs allowance for the crew is 40 cigarettes a day, 1 bottle of spirits. For representation demand additional quantities are allowed. There are normally no penalties, excess quantities must be locked in the ships bonded store.
Immigration: The "BGS" (Bundesgrenzschutz) take care of the common Immigration procedures. There are no unusual formalities.
Notices and regulations
The port of Eden is subject to the "Regulations for Ports and Harbours in the Federal State of Lower Saxony - General Port Regulations" and the "Special Harbour Regulations for the Port of Emden".
The following additional regulations apply:
Liquid gas tankers exceeding a load capacity of 30,000m³:
Two VHF radios must be operable on the bridge and capable of communications with Die Ems radar stations and with other vessels.
The vessels should also be equipped with an electronic log and an engine revolution indicator.
Maximum speed is limited to 14kts between Lightbuoy Nos 1-30, then 12kts as far as Lightbuoy No 57 to Emden.
A minimum of two tugs must be secured for passage from Lightbuoy No 57 to Emden.
Entry into Emden is prohibited during the first 3.5 hours of the ingoing tidal stream.
Liquid gas tankers loaded with a cargo exceeding 30,000m³:
Draught must not exceed 10.2m.
Tugs must be secured at Lightbuoy No 30.
An inbound vessel must have passed Lightbuoy No 57 at least 1 hour before HW Emden.
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: 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
Port services
updated Sep 2010Repairs
Major repairs can be undertaken. Divers available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available by pipeline to all berths.
Bunkering: All grades available by barge.
Medical
Emden.
Crew change
Crew change will be arranged by agent.
Transport
Nearest airport: Emden (domestic), Bremen, 150km (international).
Nearest railway: Emden. Emskai, Sudkai, Nordkai and Industriehafen have direct road and railway connections.
Highways: Motorways A 31 and A 28.
Working hours
Mon to Fri, 0600-2200hrs. Arrangement for Saturday work from 0600-1400hrs is possible. There are three 8 hour shifts worked for
container traffic and bulk cargo.
About Emden
updated Aug 2021Where it is
Emden, situated on the River Ems estuary, is Germany's most western seaport.
The port
The port of Emden is divided into two areas, the tidal Outer Harbour, Emskai/Emspier and the Inner Harbour (Binnenhafen), which is non tidal and separated by locks.
The port has a total quay length of 9km and a total area of 730ha. Formerly a traditional bulk cargo port, it is now a modern major automobile and high grade cargo port. The port is well connected to the main highway, heavy lift railway systems and linked with the European inland waterways network by the Dortmund-Ems and the Ems-Jade Canals.
Emden is the home port for Wind Energy. Emden plays a vital role in the expanding market of regenerative energies, particularly wind energy. The port serves as a base for pre-assembly, transport and maintenance of the facilities and equipment for multiple wind farms within the German Bight.
All types of forestry products, liquid chalk, liquid gas, vehicles, building materials, steel and iron products, containers, wind energy components, grains and foodstuffs as well as different types of bulk products.
Questions about Emden
What time zone is Emden in?
Local time at Emden 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 Emden?
The deepest berth listed is at EVAG: 10.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Emden?
Outer Harbour 1010-1020, Inner Harbour 1008-1010.
Which load line zone is Emden 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 Emden?
Port State Control at Emden: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Emden?
The UN/LOCODE of Emden is DEEME.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Emden 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.