PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Gavle
Pilot
updated May 2010- Gavle station boarding, close S of Grasjalsbadan Pilot boards60°42.0′N 017°29.0′E
Pilot boarding area: 60°42'N 017°29'E. Winter boat speed 11kts and summer boat speed 24kts.
Pilotage, which is available throughout 24 hours, is compulsory as follows:
Tankers: LOA 80m and beam 15m.
Dry Cargo: LOA 90m and beam 16m.
Barges: LOA 70m and beam 14m.
Two pilots are required for vessels over 28m beam.
Key data
updated Nov 2020Size limits
Max LOA 366m, beam 42m, draught 12.9m, 100,000DWT.
Water density
1000-1003.
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 31.
Tides
The current in the approaches to Gavle is weak and variable. In the harbour there is normally a slight outgoing stream.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container Terminal | 12.90 m | 366 m | 2 |
| Energy Terminal | 12.90 m | 245 m | 2 |
| Granudden Terminal | 10.20 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Bulk Terminal | 8.70 m | 204 m | 4 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2020Approach
The port is approached from Gavle Bukten and entered through Holmuddsrannan, the N and main entrance to Yttre Fjarden. The channel of Holmuddsrannan is 60m wide and 1nm in length.
From Yttre Fjarden the berths at Langharen Karskar, Granudden and Fredriksskanshamnen are directly accessible.
The inner harbour of Gavle Hamn is closed to commercial shipping, and the approach channel leading from Fredriksskans at the SE end of Yttre Fjarden is no longer dredged.
Port limits
The E boundary of the port extends from Utvalnas (60°45.1'N 017°21.3'E) on the N shore in a straight line through the islet of Bakharen (60°42.0'N 017°18.4'E).
Anchorages
Sheltered anchorage may be obtained anywhere in Yttre Fjarden clear of the channels, in depths of 11.0 to 15.0m, mud and clay.
Restrictions
Daytime: Length 220m, draught 9.0-10.1m, beam 28-30m.
Night time: Length 172m, draught 7.3m, beam 25m or length 145m, draught 8.5m, beam 25m.
Tugs
Tugs are available.
Charts and publications
BA 956, 891, 2082. Swedish 534, 5341. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2020ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notification of ETA is voluntary.
Communications
VTS Gavle VHF Ch 16, 13, 8 for tugs, pilots and port authorities.
Tel: + 46 26 17 88 66.
Email: [email protected].
Standard messages
Handled by vessel's agent.
Notice of readiness
Handled by vessel's agent.
Documents
Cargo documentation: Handled by vessel's agent.
Health
None.
Customs and immigration
None.
Notices and regulations
Handled by vessel's agent.
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
Designated Authority: Swedish Maritime Administration/Swedish Maritime Safety Inspectorate.
Address: SE-601 78, Norrkoping, Sweden.
Tel: +46 11 191000
Fax: +46 11 101949
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
Port services
updated Oct 2020Repairs
Available.
Dry docks
Not available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available at Energy Terminal via road tanker.
Medical
Gavle Municipal, 8km.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Stockholm International, 180km.
Nearest railway: Gavle, 8km.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1530hrs.
About Gavle
updated Oct 2020Where it is
Gavle sometimes known as Gefle, is located in the Gulf of Bothnia.
The port
The port is a modern and expanding harbour which remains open all year round, with the aid of ice breakers from Jan-Mar. The Oil jetty at Karskar is under separate entry. Major cargo handled are container, steel product, scrap metal, fuel chips, paper, sawn wood product, various types of dry bulk, chemical and fuel oil liquid bulk.
Questions about Gavle
Where does the pilot board at Gavle?
The pilot boards at Gavle station boarding, close S of Grasjalsbadan, 60°42.0′N 017°29.0′E.
What time zone is Gavle in?
Local time at Gavle 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 Gavle?
The deepest berth listed is at Container Terminal: 12.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Gavle?
1000-1003.
Which load line zone is Gavle 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 Gavle?
Port State Control at Gavle: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Gavle?
The UN/LOCODE of Gavle is SEGVX.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Gavle 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.