Kirkenes

1. Kirkenes boarding position 1 (Outer) Pilot boards69°51.3′N 030°07.2′E
2. Kirkenes boarding position 2 Pilot boards69°47.3′N 030°04.9′E

Size limits

LOA 210m, beam 48m, draught 10.7m, 63,581DWT.

Water density

1010-1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Spring: 2.72m, Neap: 1.54m.

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

Approach

Directions for entering harbour: Initial position: 69°47'N 030°05'E, off Reinoya. The white sector 010-023° of Reinoy Light (69°47'N 030°07'E), astern, leads towards Kirkenes, passing (positions given from the light):

SE of Leirpollneset (2.2nm SSW) then W of Engelsmannskjeret (2.7nm S), marked by an iron perch, then W of Sabelholmen (3.2nm S).

W of a lightbuoy in position (69°43.9'N 030°02.7'E).

To pass Raudberggrunnen: When approaching Kirkenes from the direction of Reinoysundet, the alignment (215°) of the following marks passes 0.2nm NW of Raudberggrunnen (69°46.3'N 030°08.4'E), marked by an iron perch: Helen (Hoelen) (1.2nm SW), and Kirkenes Church (2.1nm farther SW).

Traffic schemes and VTS

Coast Liner (Hurtigurten) and public transportation vessels have first priority in traffic schemes. Otherwise priority is given according to chronological received ETA notices.

Anchorages

There are ten anchorage positions available in the harbour area, as directed by pilot. Inner Harbour, depth approx 25m.

Restrictions

Restrictions for vessels berthing: Max LOA 303m, max airdraught 14.4m, max sailing draught 15m (on HW), max beam 47m, max height of hatch coaming 15m.

Mooring

Mooring services are provided by the Port Authority.

Charts and publications

BA 2317. Admiralty Pilot NP58B, NP286(2).

Communications

Communications data i.e: Tel, Fax and Email addresses of the ship must be included in the arrival notification.

Standard messages

See General Information section.

Notice of readiness

On arrival.

Documents

International standard requirements apply.

Health

International regulations apply.

Customs and immigration

National regulations apply.

Flags

International regulations apply.

Notices and regulations

All vessels must be in 'ready to sail' status, exceptions can be made by agreement with Port Authorities before arrival. Vessels to be safely manned at all times.

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.

Inspection of ships in Norway

Norwegian Maritime Authority

Address: Smedasundet 50 A, Haugesund

Tel: +47 52 74 51 30

Fax: +47 52 74 50 01

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Norwegian Maritime Authority

Address: Smedasundet 50 A, Haugesund

Tel: +47 52 74 51 30

Fax: +47 52 74 50 01

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sjofartsdir.no

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: DNV

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Norwegian Maritime Authority

Port Security Information: Norwegian Costal Administration

Telephone: +47 22 65 58 20

Website: www.kystverket.no

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

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Shell and Equinor may supply small quantities of bunker oil if required. No heavy fuel available, must be ordered at least one week in advance.

Medical

Kirkenes Sykehus, 1km.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kirkenes Lufthavn, 10km.

Airport facilities: Facilities for crew change, only limited air freight facilities.

Nearest railway: Nikel, Russia (35km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, including Sundays.

Where it is

Kirkenes is located on the NE coast of Norway on the Varangerfjord, 1,937km N of Trondheim, 240km from Murmansk.

The port

The port, which is kept open in winter with the use of an icebreaker, is mainly utilised by coastal liner service (Hurtigruten), Russian trawler fleet, oil tankers, offshore supply related activities and transport of general cargo. Some of the facilities of A/S Sydvaranger's previous iron ore production are still intact and can be used for handling bulk cargoes.

Kirkenes is being considered as a central transhipment location for the Northern Sea Route along Russia's Arctic coast to Asia. To the west is the Northwest Passage, possibly important for oil shipments out of Arctic Canada.

Traffic

Approx 72,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Kirkenes?

The pilot boards at Kirkenes boarding position 1 (Outer), 69°51.3′N 030°07.2′E. Kirkenes has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Kirkenes in?

Local time at Kirkenes 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 Kirkenes?

The deepest berth listed is at Kirkenes Port: 10.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kirkenes?

1010-1025.

Which load line zone is Kirkenes in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Kirkenes?

Port State Control at Kirkenes: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kirkenes?

The UN/LOCODE of Kirkenes is NOKKN.

What crews who called at Kirkenes 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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