Heraklion

Size limits

Draught 14.0m, LOA 320m.

Largest vessel handled: Length 215m, 16,355GT.

Water density

1020.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.3m approximately.

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

Approach

From the vicinity of 35°22'N 025°10'E the approach leads SSW and WSW passing ESE and SSE of the head of the outer mole then NNW of the head of Provlis No 6, 0.25nm SW. If entering harbour during a strong N wind it is necessary to keep close to the outer mole.

The new port covers a basin of 600,000m² and is formed by 2 breakwaters, 980m and 600m in length. It has an entrance width of 250m and vessels of up to 8.5m draught can moor alongside the N breakwater.

The small inner port, where vessels of 300t can enter, has a narrow entrance of 50m, but is totally safe with a depth of 1.8-3.6m.

Anchorages

Anchorage E of the port entrance is not allowed owing to numerous underwater cables. In good weather conditions, anchorage may be obtained 0.75nm N of North Breakwater with Venetian Castle bearing 180°. In bad weather conditions, best anchorage is at a distance of approximately 3nm to the W of North Breakwater and at a distance of 1.5nm from the coast, Linoperamata Bay. Depth of water requires a long scope of anchor chain. Also in bad weather, good anchorage conditions can be found in Bay Panagia or Agrolia in Dia.

Small vessels can anchor closer to the outer mole.

The anchorage is entirely exposed to the prevailing winds and boat work may be difficult for much of the day.

In the event of bad weather, shelter should be sought in Kolpos Irakliou or the anchorages S of Nisis Dhia.

Tugs

Fire fighting tug available.

Charts and publications

BA 1091, 3678. Admiralty Pilot NP48, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent to vessel's agent on departure from last port. Additional ETA's to be sent 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival to the vessel's agent. One hour prior to arrival, port authorities, pilot and agents should be contacted by VHF giving exact time of arrival.

The ETA message should include: Ship's particulars, cargo information, dangerous cargo (if any onboard, with details), health condition and stowaway details (if any).

Communications

Olympia Radio ("SVA") receives distress or urgent messages and public communication (working channel). Watch frequencies VHF/FM, 2182kHz and HF/DSC as follows:

MF 2187.5kHz.

HF 4207.5kHz, 6312kHz, 8414.5kHz, 12577kHz, 16804.5kHz.

Heraklion, Limnos and Corfu Radio for general watch calling frequencies. The stations work throughout 24 hours.

Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Port, Pilot & Tugs: Ch 12. Pilot, Tel: +30 281 022 6326.

Notice of readiness

Can be tendered anytime but will only be accepted between 0800-1700hrs.

Documents

Special forms exist for all documents but apply only to liner vessels. These are delivered onboard on arrival.

Health

International regulations apply for obtaining free pratique (in the case of suspected disease, vessel will remain under quarantine until everything is under control).

Pratique should be applied for on arrival and cannot be applied for by radio. Pratique is automatic if vessel arrives from another Greek port.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: Each officer and crew member is allowed 1 bottle of spirit and 1 carton of cigarettes each.

Immigration: Immigration authorities issue crew passes. For EU nationals there are no Immigration procedures. There are special regulations for nationals of countries such as Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovakia and South American countries.

Crew being repatriated to non European countries must have a ticket which the agent must show to the authorities, agent's guarantees are requested by various authorities.

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: Ministry of Merchant Marine.

Address: 1 K. Paleologou Street, 185 35 Piraeus, Greece.

Tel: +30 210 419 1911/43.

Fax: +30 210 419 1901.

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

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

Repairs

Minor repairs available. No facilities for deck repair. Electronic repair is available. Divers available. Patent slip lifting capacity 50t.

Dry docks

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available to vessels berthed at the S and SE piers by pipeline direct from quay at max rate of 240m³/pd.

Bunkering: Fuel supply available.

Stores: Available, 24 hours notice required.

Medical

Available in town.

Transport

Nearest airport: Nikos Kazantzakis International, 3km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Where it is

Heraklion is located on the N side of the island of Crete midway between its Eastern and Western shores.

The port

The main port area at Heraklion operates under the name of Heraklion Port Authory SA and consists of 2 areas, the small inner port and the new outer port. It is the main gate for passengers, cruise and commercial traffic in Crete.

Ferries operate to Piraeus, Cyclades, Sporades, Thessalonika, Kasos, Karpathos and Rhodes. There are a number of CBM's and one dry cargo pier located at Linoperamata (Sub-Port), to the W of main port.

Exports include raisins, olive oil, wine, citrus, vegetables and fruit. Imports include cereals, machinery, timber and manufactured goods.

Traffic

Approx 21,000TEU handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Heraklion?

Compulsory for all vessels above 1,000GT (with some exceptions).

What time zone is Heraklion in?

Local time at Heraklion is UTC+2. Clocks go to UTC+3 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+2 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Heraklion?

The deepest berth listed is at BP - Linoperamata Terminal: 6.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Heraklion?

1020.

Which load line zone is Heraklion in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Heraklion?

Port State Control at Heraklion: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Heraklion?

The UN/LOCODE of Heraklion is GRHER.

What crews who called at Heraklion 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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