Gothenburg

1. Goteborg boarding No. 1 Pilot boards57°34.5′N 011°38.8′E
2. Goteborg boarding No. 2 Pilot boards57°37.0′N 011°31.9′E
3. Goteborg boarding No. 3 Pilot boards57°38.8′N 011°32.5′E
4. Goteborg boarding position 5 Pilot boards57°40.2′N 011°47.6′E
5. Goteborg boarding, Skandiahamnen Pilot boards57°41.2′N 011°52.1′E
6. Goteborg boarding, VLCCs Pilot boards57°38.5′N 011°29.9′E

Size limits

LOA 400m, draught 19.05m, beam 60.001m, 323,182DWT

Water density

Average 1013.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 0.20m between HW and LW.

Mean Water (MW) used for depths.

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

Approach

Gothenburg is approached through one of the channels split at Vinga Sands leading E on the N and S side of Hakefjorden and entering by Alvsborg to the city port area.

The principle approach used by deep draught vessels is made from S Trubaduren, 2.0nm S of Vinga, with a depth of 20.5m.

There are several inner channels, the two main ones being lit by a number of fixed lights with synchronised flashing. Other approaches may be used by medium draught vessels with local knowledge. The South Channel has a depth of 14.7m, max draught 10.0m.

Controlling depths are as follows:

Torshamnen (57°41'N 011°47'E) to Skarvikshamnen (0.28nm E): 14.2m. Berths 610, 611 and half of 612 has an allowed draught of 13.0m, depth 14.2m.

Skandiahamnen to Rya Nabbe: Depth 13.2m, Berths 510, 511 and 519 having an allowed draught of 12.0m.

Skarvikshamnen to Lindholmshamnen (0.25nm E): Depth 10.0m.

Lindholmshamnen to Frihamnen: Depth 8.5m.

Depths in the harbour are subject to silting. The fairway above Frihamnen has been dredged to a depth of 6.1m.

Much of the channel in the lower stretch of the river is marked by buoys (lateral). Above Gotaalvbron (57°43'N 011°58'E), the channel is marked by floodlit dolphins, white daymarks on the W side, and yellow day marks on the E side.

Port limits

The harbour limits on the N side of the entrance channel are marked by Nya Alvsborgs (57°41.1'N 011°50.5'E). The W limit extends SE across Alvsborgs Fjorden to a position 0.25nm SW of Alvnabben. The area W and S of Torshamnen, the oil terminal for large tankers 1.5nm W of Nya Alvsborgs, is also included within the port limits.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Continuous listening time within VTS area, W of Gotaalvbron (57°42.9'N 011°58.0'E) on VHF Ch 13 and E of Gotaalvbron on VHF Ch 09.

Radar surveillance: Covers the area seaward of Alvsborgsbron (57°41.5'N 011°54.2'E).

Radar assistance: Available to large tankers on request and to other vessels with defective radar in poor visibility.

Anchorages

Anchorage is available in Rivofjord, Danafjord and Trubaduren

Anchorage is prohibited E of the harbour limit, and within the harbour limits of Torshamnen.

Restrictions

Lake Vaener: The water level of Lake Vaener can vary, so vessels should check what draught is possible at the ports before loading for Lake Vaener.

Tugs

Tankers of 30,000DWT or more are required to use at least 2 tugs when berthing or leaving Torshamnen crude oil jetty and 1 tug on arrival if over 5,000DWT (Berth Nos 800 and 801). This rule applies to both laden and empty vessels.

Mooring

VLCC's berth and unberth in daylight hours only.

Vessels are not allowed to moor without permission by the Port Authority.

Vessels not loading or unloading are not allowed to stay in the port without permission by the Port Authority.

Secure moorings at all times. Mooring ropes shall be kept taut and adjusted when necessary.

Charts and publications

BA 858, 857, 2107. Admiralty Pilot NP18, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

Declaration and permits: All declarations and requests for permits from the Port Authority shall be made to Vessel Traffic Department. Declarations and requests for permits concerning the oil harbours shall, however, be made to the Department Oil Harbour in the port.

Advance notification shall be made in good time not less than 24 hours prior to the vessel's ETA at the port. The Port Authority, with regard to the duration of the ship's journey or other circumstances, does not allow shorter time. If the ETA is considerably changed since the notification was made the new time shall be reported.

Communications

VHF: "Gothenburg VTS" Ch 13. Tel: 46 771 630660. Fax: 46 31 647779. Email: [email protected].

Gothenburg Pilot: Ch 11. Tel: +46 771 630670. Fax: +46 31 647779. Email: [email protected], available 24 hours.

Port Control: Ch 12, 13. Tel: +46 31 731 2000, Fax: +46 31 731 2251. Email: [email protected].

Gotaalvbron and Gothenburg railway bridges monitor Ch 16, 09, 12, 14. Send request to open Gotaalvbron Bridge on Ch 09.

Lake Vaener Pilot: Ch 09. Tel: + 46 520 420390 Fax: + 46 520 36485. Email [email protected].

Gotaalvbron Bridge and Marieholmsbron Bridge: Ch 09.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control is undertaken, and Certificates and Exemption Certificates issued.

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.

Repairs

Repairs of all kinds can be carried out at 8 repair berths, ranging from 55-330m in length; depths are from 7.0-9.0m. Salvage vessels are available.

Caution: Ships engines are tested at the yard, and may cause water turbulence in the vicinity. The attention of a vessel undergoing tests may be obtained by the use of ships whistle, or on VHF.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available alongside berths or by water barge.

Bunkering: Available alongside berths or from bunker barges. Fuel, diesel and gas oil available from Texaco Oil AB, Mobil Oil AB, Svenska-BP Olje AB, Svenska Esso AB, Svenska Shell AB, Nynas Petroleum AB and AB Explikator. LNG Bunkering available.

Note: Notification call to VTS Goteborg on VHF Ch 13 to be made when bunkering is to be carried out in the port area.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hospitals, doctors, chemists, dentists available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Landvetter 30km.

Nearest railway: Central Station (city centre).

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0700-1600hrs; Container Terminal 0700-2359hrs, Fri 0630-2200hrs. All other hours are overtime. The oil ports work throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Gothenburg is situated on the W coast of Sweden.

The port

The port handles all type of cargo, containers, Ro-Ro, bulk cargo, breakbulk and bulk liquid.

Port of Gothenburg aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 70% by 2030.

Traffic

Approx 39,000,000t of cargo, 900,000TEU, 6,000 vessels and 1,400,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Gothenburg?

The pilot boards at Goteborg boarding No. 1, 57°34.5′N 011°38.8′E. Gothenburg has 6 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Gothenburg in?

Local time at Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg?

The deepest berth listed is at Torshamnen: 19.05 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Gothenburg?

Average 1013.

Which load line zone is Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg?

Port State Control at Gothenburg: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Gothenburg?

The UN/LOCODE of Gothenburg is SEGOT.

What crews who called at Gothenburg 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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