Geiranger

Size limits

Largest cruise vessel: "MSC Preziosa". LOA333.3m, beam 37.92m, 139,072GT.

Anchorage: While there is no restriction on vessel sizes, max capacity in the Geirangerfjord is generally l50,000-200,000GT, or approx 5,000 passengers.

Tides

Tidal range is 1.5-2.0m.

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

Approach

Width of inner fjord: 600m, min depth 25m. Width of outer fjord 800m, min depth 25m.

Anchorages

Geiranger offers good anchorage. Bottom clay, sand, depth 45-60m.

There are no restrictions on the size of vessel than can be accommodated at the anchorage.

However, the Norwegian Coastal Directory does set Guidelines for anchor positions in the Geirangerfjord (Lausneset and Fonnaneset) off the port area of Geiranger.

On days where four or more vessels have port calls, anchor positions will be allocated.

Anchor positions will also be allocated on days when dispensation is granted from the Guidelines.

Restrictions

A speed limit of 3kts is in force in the area of the SeaWalk and Geiranger Cruise Terminal when the SeaWalk is in use.

There is a speed limit of 8kts in approaches to port.

There is no Waterline to Masthead limit in the port.

Tugs

Available, but 12 hours notice is required. The nearest service is at Alesund.

Mooring

There is no dedicated turning basin.

The SeaWalk 'folding' pontoon is available at the main mooring position. Vessels use two mooring buoys, the inner SeaWalk buoy approx 140m SW of the 'folded' pontoon, and outer SeaWalk Buoy approx 300m NW of the 'folded' pontoon. The 'folded' pontoon is extended out to the moored vessel, enabling passenges to have direct walkway access on to land.

Vessels moor between the two buoys (North and South buoy); each buoy has two anchor chains with approx. 40° spread. The normal course between the buoys is approx. 315°. The distance between the buoys is approx. 450m. Each anchor is dimensioned for a 300t brake load. Bow and stern mooring lines on vessels must be equally tightened and it is recommended that they lead through the centralised fairlead (halegatt) if possible, to multiple brake load. It is also recommended that pre-tension on the mooring lines, with, for example, 4 lines - is set to about 20 tons. If mooring lines are unevenly tightened the total brake load could be reduced to the equivalent of the brake load of one single mooring line.

The distance from the South Buoy to vessel's stern should not exceed 40m for ships longer than 250m.

The preferable distance between the South Buoy and SW Link 2, when moored to the ship, should be between 85m to 105m. The distance from the South Buoy to SW Link 2 should not exceed 110m, when moored to the vessel.

For vessels between 180m and 250m, the distance between the South Buoy and stern may exceed 40m, but the distance from the South Buoy to SW Link 2 should not exceed 110m.

The Anchor/Buoy installation only allows pull loads from the vessel within the mooring area. Pull forces a vessel on the buoys, outside of the mooring area will cause damage to the SeaWalk structure.

Other Moorings: Once anchored, vessel are allocated one of three tender piers (Tenderbrygge 1, 2 or 3) for passenger disembarkation.

Charts and publications

BA1428. Admiralty NP286(2) Vol 6. NP57B.

US Sailing Directions No 182 (North and West Coasts of Norway).

Norwegian Nautical Chart (Kartverket) No 127 (Storfjorden. Indre del med Sjøholt – Geiranger) .

Notices and regulations

Vessels operating within the SECA Area, must use fuel with a low Sulphur content. Scrubbers may be used as an alternative while in the Geiranger, Helleslt, Stranda seafront area.

Vessels using on board garbage/waste burners should switch them off when entering the port.

To reduce noise levels, which are made louder with the high sided mountains, tender boats must stop their engines at vessel's side and alongside the jetty.

Vessels must seek permission before lowering their anchors, painting rafts and pontoons, conducting boat drills, diving or using signal bells.

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

Where it is

Geiranger village is at the head of Geiranger fjord, situated in the Kommune of Stranda, in Western Norway.

The port

Geiranger is a popular cruise vessel port of call, catering for the holiday season which begins in Feb and ends in Dec. The port has three pontoons for ship tenders, which are used to ferry passengers to and from the anchorage. The main mooring is serviced by an articulated walkway (the SeaWalk) which extends out up to 236m from the shore, in a three bend zig-zag shape. This allows passengers direct access to land. Geiranger is also used for salmon and cod fishing and has a small town pier.

The Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with clear blue very deep water lined by steep mountains.

Traffic

Approx 183 vessels and 349,786 passengers call in Geiranger each year.

What are the pilot arrangements at Geiranger?

Compulsory. Pilot is available from Kvitsoy Pilot Station.

What time zone is Geiranger in?

Local time at Geiranger 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 Geiranger?

The deepest berth listed is at Geiranger Cruise Hamn: 9.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Who carries out Port State Control at Geiranger?

Port State Control at Geiranger: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Geiranger?

The UN/LOCODE of Geiranger is NOGNR.

What crews who called at Geiranger 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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