PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Joensuu
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage in the Russian water area is carried out by the Russian Pilot Service. Pilotage is required when using the outer channel between Vihrevoi and Brusnitchnoe, and when using the coastal channel also between Vihrevoi and Brusnitchnoe.
Pilotage is compulsory.
Pilotage on the Saimaa Canal: Pilotage on the section from Lock Brusnitchnoe to the Lock Malkia is carried out by canal pilots subordinated to Finnish State Pilotage Enterprise.All vessels, excluding small Finnish vessels, of more than 25m in length, are required to use a pilot when proceeding through the canal. Upon application, Inland Waterways District may grant to a Master of a vessel, the right to navigate his vessel on the canal without a pilot provided that the Master of the vessel has passed an examination required for the purpose.
In navigation from the Gulf of Finland, the pilot must be ordered from the Viipuri Section of Inflot 12 hours prior to arrival at Vihrevoi where the pilot is to be taken onboard. The order must be checked two hours before the start of the pilotage.
In navigation from Lake Saimaa, the pilot must be ordered from the Saimaa VTS centre 6 hours before entrance into the canal. The order must be checked 2 hours prior to pilotage being started.
In navigation from the Gulf of Finland, a canal pilot need not be ordered separately. Similarly, a Russian pilot for the approach channel need not be ordered separately for vessels proceeding from Lake Saimaa.
Pilotage in the water system of the Saimaa is carried out by Pilots of Finnish State Pilotage Enterprise.
Key data
updated Mar 2017Size limits
LOA 82.5m, beam 12.8m, draught 4.35m.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length. Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joensuu Terminal | — | — | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2017Approach
The most important deep channel goes from the mouth of the Saimaa Canal in Lauritsala via Savonlinna to Haukivesi, there, branching off to the channel leading via Varkaus to Kuopio and Siilinjarvi, and to the channel for Joensuu. The other deep channels are the channels of Lappeenranta, Imatra, Ristiina and Puhos.
Channels of the main channel level lead, eg from Kuopio to Iisalmi, from Joensuu to Lake Pielinen and from below Puumala to Mikkeli. A channel of the side channel level for instance leads along the Heinavesi chain of lakes from Haukivesi to Kuopio and from this route to Juojarvi.
The approach channels from the sea to the canal:
The Canal can be reached from the Gulf of Finland through an approach channel E of Someri marked on Sea Chart Nos 11, 12, 140 and 141. The channel passes the island of Vihrevoi and continues by the island of Malyj Vysotskij as the Vysotskij-Viipuri channel from which the incoming channel of the Saimaa Canal diverges by the Maariankivi.
The distance from international waters to the Island of Vihrevoi is 95km and from there to Brunsnitchnoe Lock, 36km.
The permissible draught of the approach channel up to the Island Malyi Vysotski is 7.3m and from there to the port of Viipuri 6.5m. The passage depth permitted in the channel departing for the Saimaa Canal is 4.35m.
The other alternative is the protected coastal channel: The Canal can also be reached through the coastal channel, starting from the Finnish boundary near the Island of Santio and merging into the sea channel mentioned above at the Island of Vihrevoi. The permissible draught in the channel is 4.35m. The length of the channel from the border to Vihrevoi is 49km and the distance from the border to the Brusnitchnoe Lock is 86km. The channel and its refuge harbours are marked on Russian charts 1131 and 1132 (available from Inflot Bureau, Viipuri) and Finnish charts 11 and 12.
The time of passage through the part of the Canal provided with locks (Malkia to Brusnitchnoe) is 5 to 8 hours depending, for instance, on the frequency of the traffic and the size of the vessel.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Saimaa VTS is in operation.
Charts and publications
Finnish 415. BA 259, 1090. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
To be advised to vessel agent's head office.
Communications
A Marine VHF network system is used on Lake Saimaa VTS Communication: Call Saimaa VTS, Ch 09. All passenger vessels and all other vessels of more than 25m in length must maintain a continuous watch on VHF Ch 09 in the Saimaa Canal and the deep channels on Lake Saimaa. In the Saimaa Canal, vessels must listen on Ch 09 and 11. On Lake Saimaa vessels must listen on Ch 09 and 16.
Communication with Saimaa Canal locks , Taipale Lock in Varkous and Konnus Lock in Leppavirta: 'Name of lock', Ch 11.
Notice of readiness
NOR is to be tendered on arrival in accordance with the Charter Party. Working hours are normally 0700-1530hrs (1530-2359hrs).
Health
Pratique should be applied for if there is contagious disease onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.
Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Vessel's agent carries out Customs formalities.
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: Finnish Maritime Administration, Maritime Safety Department.
Position: Senior Maritime Inspector.
Address: PO Box 171, Porkkalankatu 5, FIN-00181 Helsinki, Finland.
Tel: +358 2 0448 4437.
Fax: +358 2 0448 4500.
Mob: +358 4 0515 5408.
Website: http://www.fma.fi
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Medical
Available nearby.
Transport
Nearest airport: Joensuu Airport.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1530hrs and 1530-2359hrs.
About Joensuu
updated May 2010Where it is
Joensuu is located on the Saimaa Lakes in the E of Finland.
The port
The pilotage distance from the Canal entrance is 188nm.
Traffic
Approx 500,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Joensuu
What are the pilot arrangements at Joensuu?
Pilotage in the Russian water area is carried out by the Russian Pilot Service.
What time zone is Joensuu in?
Local time at Joensuu is UTC+2. Clocks go to UTC+3 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+2 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the water density at Joensuu?
1000.
Which load line zone is Joensuu in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length.
Who carries out Port State Control at Joensuu?
Port State Control at Joensuu: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Joensuu?
The UN/LOCODE of Joensuu is FIJOE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Joensuu 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.