PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Karskar
Pilot
updated Jul 2023Available throughout 24hrs, initial pilot order sent 24hrs before loading and then final call 5hrs before loading.
Pilotage is required and in accordance with the Swedish Maritime Administration:
1. All vessels in pilot duty category 1
2. Vessels in pilot duty category 2 with LOA 80m or breadth 15 m and over
3. Vessels in pilot duty category 3 with LOA 100m or breadth 17m and over
Key data
updated Aug 2023Size limits
Max LOA 220m, beam 30m, draught 10.2m and 37,879DWT.
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
Nil.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karskar Terminal | 10.20 m | 220 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2010Approach
The port is approached from Gavle Bukten and entered through Holmuddsrannan, the N and main entrance to Yttre Fjarden. The channel of Holmuddsrannan is 60m wide and 1nm in length.
Karskar is approached within the white sector of Karskar Light, passing close W of the buoy (spar, port hand), marking the W limit of Indiamansgrundet.
Charts and publications
BA 2338. Admiralty Pilot NP20.
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2023ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notification of ETA is voluntary.
Communications
Gavle pilot station contact info:
Telephone: +46-771-63 06 10
VHF: Ch 13.
Documents
Cargo documentation: Handled by vessel's agent.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates issued.
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 Jul 2023Medical
Nearest hospital: Gavle Municipal Hospital (8.5km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Gävle-Sandviken Airport (used by taxi flights, ambulance flights and private planes, 20.5km) and Dala Airport (101km).
Nearest railway: Gavle Centralstation (6.8km)
Nearest highway: Port has access to national road 76 which follows W to highway E4 which has direct access to Stockholm in the S and Haparanda (border of Finland) to the N.
Nearest public transport: Bus stops located within Gavle.
About Karskar
updated Jul 2023Where it is
Karskar is located, near Gavle, on the E coast of Sweden in the Gulf of Bothnia.
The port
The port of Karskar is made up of a commercial pier that handles forest products and liquid cargo (turpentine). An additional berth dedicated to tankers and liquid cargo was recently closed and is no longer commercially active.
Questions about Karskar
What are the pilot arrangements at Karskar?
Available throughout 24hrs, initial pilot order sent 24hrs before loading and then final call 5hrs before loading.
What time zone is Karskar in?
Local time at Karskar 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 Karskar?
The deepest berth listed is at Karskar Terminal: 10.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Karskar?
1000.
Which load line zone is Karskar 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 Karskar?
Port State Control at Karskar: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Karskar?
The UN/LOCODE of Karskar is SEKAS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Karskar 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.