PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Kemi
Pilot
updated May 2010- Kemi N Pilot boards65°33.1′N 024°26.9′E
- Kemi S Pilot boards65°29.3′N 024°19.0′E
Compulsory for all foreign vessels. Pilot boards 12.0nm SSW of Ajos in position 65°29.29'N 024°20.02'E, or further seaward if required. Pilotage is ordered via the Finnpilot Order Centre: Western Pilotage Zone, Tel: +358 20 754 6153, Fax: 358 20 754 6163, Email: [email protected].
There is no pilot ordering service via VHF radio, they should be ordered by Website, using pilot order form, Telephone, Fax or Email.
Key data
updated Jul 2020Size limits
LOA 190.79m, draught 9.8m, beam 30.6m, 38,200DWT.
Water density
1001 & 1002.
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.
Tides
None. The water level varies between +1.5m and -0.75m depending on winds (water level rises during southerly winds and falls rapidly during northerly winds).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajos Harbour | 9.80 m | 211 m | 13 |
| Veitsiluoto Harbour | — | 135 m | 7 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2020Approach
Kemi is approached from seaward, passing either side of "Kemi 1 Light" (65°23.0'N 024°06.0'E), and entered through a partly buoyed channel, authorised for a draught of 10.0m which passes W of Keminkraaseli Light (65°36.6'N 024°33.8'E).
Approach can also be made from the S and E via the inshore channels leading from Oulu.
Kemi main approach channel: From a position WSW of Kemi 1 Light the recommended track, leads NE passing NW of Kemi 2 Light and SE of a shoal (11nm NE) marked by a buoy (E cardinal). At this point the track is joined by the Oulu to Kemi main Inner Channel. The recommended track then continues NE for a further 2.0nm to the Ajos Leading Line.
At night keep in the white sector of Keminkraaseli Light bearing between 036° and 041°.
AJOS: Ajos Leading Lights, in line 041.5°, lead NNE through a buoyed channel for about 7nm passing with (positions from Ajos Front Leading Light):
ESE of Ristinmatala Light Beacon (4nm SSW) at which point the track divides - the NW branch leads to Roytta and Tornio and the NE branch leads to Veitsiluoto.
Then ESE of Hebe Light Beacon (2nm SSW) and ESE of the detached breakwater to enter the Ajos harbour.
VEITSILUOTO: For the branch channel to Veitsiluoto with authorised draught of 8.0m leads generally NNE along a recommended track marked by beacons, buoys, lightbuoys and leading lights, local knowledge is required for this route, as follows:
Ajoskrunni Leading Lights on alignment of 054° for about 2.5nm to
Pihlajakari Leading Lights on alignment 023.5° for about 2 mils to the Ropposenkari Leading Lights on alignment of 111.5° for 1nm to the Ruumiskkari Leading Line, the authorised draught decreases to 7.0m. This section of the channel is joined at its SSW end by an inshore channel from the E and then, at mid length, by a link channel from the W, authorised draught of 8.0m, which connects with the Ajos Leading Line, passing through the shoals about 2nm SSW of Ajos.
Then Ruumiskari Leading Lights on alignment of 049° leads 0.7nm to the
Rytikarinpenger Leading Lights on alignment 356.5° for about 1.75nm passing close E of Rautakallio Islet to:
Kannonnokka Leading Lights on alignment of 309.5° for 0.5nm to a position about 0.35nm SSE of the pier at Veitsiluoto harbour. This part of the fairway is also marked by the alignment 130° astern of Satamaranta Leading Lights.
Port limits
The port limits extend to the breakwater.
Traffic schemes and VTS
The approaches to Kemi are covered by Sector D of the Bothnia mandatory scheme.
Reporting: Vessels are required to report on VHF Ch 67 (as detailed below) and shall maintain a continuous listening watch on Ch 67.
The report is acknowledged by the VTS centre which provides the vessel with information on other vessels, fairway and weather conditions and other factors affecting safe navigation.
Anchorages
Anchorage available outside the breakwater, but exposed to weather.
The outer anchorage, in a depth of approx 16.5m lies close W of the main approach channel, approx 0.8nm WSW of Inakari islet, 0.5nm SW of Ajos. Kemi roadstead, NW of Ajos, provides two anchorages for small vessels outside the buoyed fairway.
Restrictions
In winter the port is open to ice strengthened vessels only.
Tugs
Available by arrangement. Tugs are compulsory for vessels over 160m in length.
Mooring
Berthing is available day and night. Berthing to be requested 2 hours prior of arrival.
Charts and publications
BA 3864, 2098. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
Advise pilot of ETA 24, 12, 6 and 2 hours before arrival. In addition to date and time of arrival the message should include the vessel's name, length and draught.
Communications
Helsinki Radio is recommended for passing messages. The station works R/T from 0600-2300hrs and W/T throughout 24 hours. VHF: Port: Ch 12, 13.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
Finnpilot Order Centre: Western Pilotage Zone: Tel: +358 20 754 6153, Fax: 358 20 754 6163.
Email: [email protected].
VHF: Ajos Pilot Station: Ch 13.
Bothnia VTS: Ch 67.
Notice of readiness
NOR is to be tendered on arrival in accordance with the Charter Party. Working hours are normally 0800-1600hrs.
Health
Pratique should be applied for if there is contagious disease onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Customs allowances: For crew member's own use there is an allowance of 1 carton of cigarettes and 1-2 bottles of spirits. Penalty for exceeding the allowance depends on the quantity the allowance was exceeded by.
Immigration: If a vessel is carrying passengers, the ship's agent is to be advised in advance for an immigration check. There are no restrictions for crew members.
Notices and regulations
Effective from 01st September 2016, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will require sea carriers calling at EU ports to file Container Status Messages (CSMs). Vessels experiencing technical communication problems should report the issue via e-mail to the Commission's help-service email: [email protected].
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 Jul 2020Repairs
Minor repairs can be carried out.
Dry docks
None.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available..
Bunkering: By road tanker or pipeline at oil berth.
Stores: Available.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Kemi Airport, 15km.
Airport facilities: Service three times a day to Helsinki International Airport.
Nearest railway: In Kemi. Rail link to the port. Freight traffic is served at Veitsiluoto; passengers at Kemi, 10km.
Working hours
Mon-Fri, 0600-2230hrs (2 shifts); 0700-1530hrs Sat (1 shift).
About Kemi
updated Jul 2020Where it is
Kemi is situated at the northern end of the Gulf of Bothnia. Meanwhile, Veitsiluoto is located on the Finnish coast near to the northern extremity of the Gulf of Bothnia and approx 10km S of Kemi (Ajos).
The port
The port has two commercial harbours, Veitsiluoto Harbour and Ajos Harbour (Lapland's Deepwater Harbour), the new harbour which provides an oil terminal and deep water berthing.
Ajos imports oil products, chemicals, general bulk and containers. Ajos exports wood and paper products, metal products and container goods. The oil berth is used to import oil and chemical products to Lapland and parts of the
Northern Ostrobothenia. Oil berth is also used as the import port of the fuel supply of Lapland.
Veitsiluoto is mainly used as the raw material port of the mill and among other materials raw timber and lime is imported to the port. Small quantities of the products of the mill are also exported through the port.
Traffic
Approx 2,100,000t of cargo, 7,000TEU, 488 vessels and 19,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Kemi
Where does the pilot board at Kemi?
The pilot boards at Kemi N, 65°33.1′N 024°26.9′E. Kemi has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Kemi in?
Local time at Kemi 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 Kemi?
The deepest berth listed is at Ajos Harbour: 9.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Kemi?
1001 & 1002.
Which load line zone is Kemi in?
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.
Who carries out Port State Control at Kemi?
Port State Control at Kemi: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Kemi?
The UN/LOCODE of Kemi is FIKEM.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Kemi 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.