PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Karlskrona
Pilot
updated May 2010- Karlskrona (o) Karlskrona approach Pilot boards56°03.0′N 015°34.1′E
Karlskrona is a pilot station and there is a pilot look out on the E side of Aspo. Pilots, provided by Karlshamn, can be obtained between 0500-2100hrs.
Pilots meet vessels bound for the main entrance channel, 0.4nm S of Karlskrona Lightbuoy.
The pilot boat, length 13.5m speed 20kts, acts as a lifeboat if required.
Key data
updated May 2019Size limits
LOA 175m, 15,000DWT and max draught 8m from the latest audit.
Water density
1000.
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
Normal rise above or below mean level is 0.6m to 0.9m. Winds between NW and SW lower the level and those between N and E raise it but prolonged E winds in spring may lower the level. For suitably equipped vessels, a telephone responder is fitted to a depth gauge in the harbour at Kungsholmen.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karskrina Stena Line | — | — | 2 |
| Karlskrona | — | — | 1 |
| Handelshamnen Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Karskrina Stena Line | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2017Approach
The S or main entrance to Karlskrona is between the islands of Aspo and Tjurko. It is approached through Kungsjupet, the main channel, authorised for a draught of 10.0m or alternatively, through another channel authorised for a draught of 7.0m, which runs 0.5nm W of the main channel, and parallel to it.
These channels merge close S of the entrance which lies between Drottningskar (56°07'N 015°34'E) on the W side and Kungsholmen on the E side. Then, authorised for a draught of 9.5m, the channel leads NNE across Yttre Redden and with reduced draught, to various quays at Karlskrona harbour.
The E channel to Karlskrona authorised for a draught of 3.2m, is entered 3nm NNE of Utlangan Light Tower between Torhamns Udde (56°01.5'N 015°51.0'E) and Langoren, an inhabited and partly wooded island 1nm SW.
The E channel passes through a restricted area. Foreign vessels may not stop in the area except in an anchorage N of the channel towards Torhamn, where anchoring is allowed without permission provided the total time in the restricted area does not exceed 72 hours.
The W approach to Karlskrona lies between Hasslo and Lindo (56°07'N 015°21'E). The channel entered 7nm WSW of Karlskrona Harbour, is narrow and tortuous and although well buoyed should not be used without local knowledge.
Anchorages
There is good anchorage for a considerable number of vessels in Yttre Redden between the outer islands and Karlskrona harbour.
Tugs
There are tugs with ice breaking capability available.
Charts and publications
BA 2857. Admiralty Pilot NP19, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010Communications
Karlskrona Hamnradio (Karlskrona Port Radio)
Pilots: VHF Ch 13.
Port Authority: Ch 12.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.
Notices and regulations
Tanker vessels may not get underway in the harbour when passenger vessels over 50m in length or other vessels, over 70m in length, are also underway. Tankers may not be berthed at the same quay as passenger vessels.
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 2017Repairs
Available. Seven drydocks are available, the largest of which can accommodate a vessel, LOA 200m, beam 26.2m, draught 7.5m.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available
Medical
Hospital in Karlskrona, 8km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Ronneby Airport in Kallinge, 36km.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Karlskrona
updated Oct 2017Where it is
Karlskrona is located on the SE coast of Sweden in the province of Blekinge, approx 210nm SSW of Stockholm.
The port
The port mainly handles passengers, Ro-Ro, freight and liquid cargo.
Questions about Karlskrona
Where does the pilot board at Karlskrona?
The pilot boards at Karlskrona (o) Karlskrona approach, 56°03.0′N 015°34.1′E.
What time zone is Karlskrona in?
Local time at Karlskrona is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the water density at Karlskrona?
1000.
Which load line zone is Karlskrona 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 Karlskrona?
Port State Control at Karlskrona: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Karlskrona?
The UN/LOCODE of Karlskrona is SEKAA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Karlskrona 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.