Klaipeda

1. Klaipeda pilot boarding Pilot boards55°44.0′N 021°00.0′E
2. Klaipėda pilot boarding place No 2 Pilot boards55°43.4′N 021°05.9′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 399m, beam 54m, draught 13.4m, 204,144DWT.

Off Shore: LOA 299.9m, 97,730DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for vessels over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of 100m or less in length. Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

It is reported that the water level can vary by as much as 0.9m above and below mean level, although variations of 0.6m or above are rare. However, small variations of 0.3m are frequent. The level rises with strong winds from the W, through N, to NE, and fall with winds between E and S. A rise may sometimes be caused by strong NW or SW winds blowing in from the W part of the Baltic Sea.

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

Approach

The entrance to the sea canal is protected by 2 moles 237m wide at entrance. The width of the channel is approx 150m with a permitted draught of 12.5m. The depth of the channel 15.5m is affected by mud and sand brought down by spring floods. The inner channel depth is 15.0m.

The length of the fairway from the port entrance to the Kurshiu Marios gulf is 4nm, width varies from 180-300m and the depths are from 10.0-14.0m at mean water level.

The draught for vessels navigating the Sea Channel is 12.5m from the entrance Channel up to the Winter Harbour, then 11.5m to berths 101-104, then 9.2m to the ferry terminal and Western Ship Repair Yard. The permitted draught for container vessels proceeding to berth No 143 is 9.9m.

Discoloured water flowing out of Kursiu Marios extends 4.0-5.0nm offshore, its demarcation may give warning to the mariner of his approach to Klaipeda in thick weather. After embarking the pilot at the No 1 Fairway Lightbuoy, vessels should steer E on the Klaipeda Leading Line to the harbour entrance.

When entering, course corrections should be made for the current, which according to circumstances, sets N or S with considerable strength across the line of approach.

Iplaukimo Vedline Leading Lights: The alignment 092.5° of these lights leads 5nm E through the safety fairway to the harbour entrance passing clear of No 1 Fairway Lightbuoy, to the entrance.

Entrance: Sea Channel, the channel within the harbour from the S Mole to the N end of Kiaules-Nugara a distance of approx 4nm. The channel (dredged) varies in width from 150 to 300m, and is marked on both sides by lightbuoys.

Port limits

The harbour water area includes the N part of Kursiu Marios (Curonian Lagoon) between the port entrance and the line connecting the points 55°39.6'N 021°07.9'E and 55°39.2'N 021°09.0'E in the S.

Traffic schemes and VTS

All vessel movements are subject to permission being granted by the VTS. Such permission expires after 20 minutes and should be renewed.

Anchorages

It is permitted to stay at anchor up to wind strength 29kts.

Restrictions

A power cable crosses the channel between Kursiu Nerija Spit and the S end of Kiaules Nugara, with a safe overhead clearance of 26m. The same cable continues across to the S end of the Ferry Terminal with a reduced safe overhead clearance of 12m.

Tugs

Compulsory. Mooring and unmooring of large seagoing vessels can be effected with tug's assistance only, available throughout 24 hours. Number of tugs to be ordered depends on the weather conditions and can be agreed upon between the master and the pilot. The tugs should provide towing rope or wire.

Recommended number of tugs: Tugs should be ordered by the vessel's Master via his agent, having coordinated the number and type of tugs with the VTS.

If a vessel with a crew is towed, the towing must be done under the guidance of the master of the towed vessel. If a vessel is towed without crew, the towing must be done under the guidance of the master of the highest capacity tug.

Mooring

Tankers with oil products can berth only at Berths 1, 2 and 3 (oil terminal). At specialised berths with the permission of the harbour master in the sea roads.

In adverse weather conditions if there is a necessity for a vessel to leave a berth, change berths or to leave the berth to outer roads, the vessel's master or chief mate shall be onboard and a pilot and tug should assist.

A vessel can be moored alongside any other only with the permission of the Port State Control (PSC).

The vessel's agent shall give the port dispatchers notification of vessel's departure or re-mooring at least 2 hours prior to departure.

There are berth mooring gangs in the port.

Charts and publications

LT Chart No. 560710. BA 2276, 2040, 2048, 2288. Admiralty Pilot NP19, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Permission must be granted by the VTS, this permission expires after 20 minutes and should be renewed. Vessels should repeat all instructions received by the VTS.

If a vessel is carrying dangerous cargo, the agent shall inform the Port State Control (PSC) at least 24 hours prior to the vessel's arrival. At least 2 hours before the vessel's arrival at the port, the master shall send notification about the vessel to the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), by means of radio telephone communication, the callsign is "Klaipeda Traffic" on VHF Ch 09. Information of the name/flag of the vessel and draught in fresh water should be given. The agent shall order the tugs directly and a pilot through the port dispatchers. The VTS permits or prohibits the vessel's call at the port and gives information regarding the mooring berth or anchorage place.

Malku Jlankos Terminal JSC: ETA should be sent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival, and immediately after departure of last port advising of dangerous cargo onboard, characteristics of vessel, gross capacity, number and measurement of hatches, tween-decks, shelter-decks, description and quantity of cargo, stowage plan, heavy lifts, pieces of above 3t each especially indicated. Day and night loading/discharging operation, Sunday and holiday included.

Notice of readiness

Vessels in the anchorage or at Sea Buoy No 1 position are considered to be 'arrived'. Details regarding Notice of Readiness and commencement of lay time depends on Charter Party terms.

Documents

Vessels leaving for the sea roads should perform the following steps:

The master shall request (by radio telephone) permission to leave for the sea roads.

Oral notification about sufficient number of crew onboard to stand watch and to ensure the vessel's safety.

Oral notification about the reliability of the means of radio communications with the port shall be given.

The master of the vessel bears responsibility for the accuracy of the above data in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Lithuania. The above data shall be included in the PSC Registration Log and the PSC is entitled to verify the same.

Health

The master should inform the port sanitary service 6 hours prior to arrival, through the agent, by radio, regarding the vessel's route, whether there are passengers onboard, whether there are persons onboard with infectious diseases and if uncommon mortality of rodents was noticed on the vessel.

Each vessel on arrival has to obtain free pratique. In case of suspected disease or fever onboard the master must inform the agent to receive instructions.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates (SSCE) renewed.

Customs and immigration

Each crew member is allowed 40 cigarettes, or 20 cigariles, or 10 cigars, or 50g tobacco; 0.5 litre of spirits, 0.75 litres of wine and 4 litres beer.

Flags

The usual flags are to be hoisted.

Notices and regulations

The speed of vessels in the port waters should not exceed 6kts. Vessels with a dead slow speed of more than 6kts shall proceed by using an interrupted engine running regime. While passing places where the waves generated by the vessel would be dangerous, the vessel shall proceed at the dead slow speed with which the vessel may still be controlled.

A vessel's speed shall not be limited provided that the vessel is proceeding to the harbour master's direction, for rescue operations, excluding special territories of the port waters where the speed is limited in any case.

Right of way: Vessels with draught exceeding 7.0m with a pilot onboard are permitted to use the main channel, and have priority over traffic crossing the channel.

Tankers are required to berth with bows towards the port entrance, unless special permission is obtained.

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: Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania.

Position: Deputy Head, Water Transport Department.

Address: Gedimino pr. 17, Vilnius, 01505 Lithuania.

Tel: +370 52 393981.

Fax: +370 52 393880.

Website: www.transp.lt

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

Repairs

All kinds of repairs for vessels of max 40,000DWT can be undertaken at the Western Repair Yard. Divers for underwater repairs are available.

Dry docks

There are also 5 piers each 172m x 12m with 2 x 30t lift capacity cranes. All piers have connections for water, electricity, gas, oxygen, compressed air and steam.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available. Most berths supplied by shore installations, otherwise trucks.

Bunkers: Bunkering is available from barges only.

Stores: Provisions can be ordered via vessel's agent.

Medical

Available in Klaipeda.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Palanga, 30km.

Nearest railway: Klaipeda.

Working hours

The port operates 2 shifts, 0800-2000hrs and 2000-0800hrs, including Sat, Sun and holidays.

Where it is

The port of Klaipeda is situated in the narrow strait called Sea Channel which connects Kursiu Marios (The Curonian Lagoon) with the Baltic Sea.

The port

The largest port in Lithuania, the harbour of which is equipped to handle most types of vessel up to moderate/large size carrying bulk liquids, LNG, bulk raw products, containers and general cargo.

The port is ice free and open all year round and can handle fully loaded Panamax tankers.

The principal imports are sugar, frozen cargo, containers, machinery, LNG. Exports include grain, metals, fertilisers, timber, cement, peat, oil products and containers.

Traffic

Approx 39,000,000t of cargo, 1,300,000TEU, 5,500 vessels, 355,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Klaipeda?

The pilot boards at Klaipeda pilot boarding, 55°44.0′N 021°00.0′E. Klaipeda has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Klaipeda in?

Local time at Klaipeda 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 Klaipeda?

The deepest berth listed is at Biriu Kroviniu Terminal: 13.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Klaipeda?

1000.

Which load line zone is Klaipeda in?

Summer Zone for vessels over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of 100m or less in length.

Who carries out Port State Control at Klaipeda?

Port State Control at Klaipeda: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Klaipeda?

The UN/LOCODE of Klaipeda is LTKLJ.

What crews who called at Klaipeda 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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