PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Koper
Pilot
updated Jun 2013- Koper (Capodistria) pilot boarding place Pilot boards45°33.8′N 013°41.6′E
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 500GT, entering or leaving Koper port. Definite notice of arrival must be sent by telex 24 hours before the vessel's ETA (vessels carrying dangerous cargoes 48 hours), through agent in Koper. Masters must also confirm intention to leave the port on VHF Ch 08 or by Tel: (05) 630 0160.
Pilot normally boards at the entrance to the harbour, or at the entrance to the fairway or at the anchorage.
When visibility is less than 400m or wind strength is above 11kts, pilots are only available during daylight hours to vessels bound for the Energy Terminal in Basin III and vessels carrying hazardous cargoes are prohibited from entering the port under the same conditions.
Key data
updated Apr 2026Size limits
LOA 368.5m, beam 53.5m, draught 17.2m, 209,999DWT.
Water density
1025 - 1015, according to the weather conditions.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 1.1m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore & Coal Terminal | 17.20 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Container Terminal | 14.00 m | 369 m | 5 |
| Dry Bulk Terminal | 12.80 m | 235 m | 5 |
| Liquid Cargo Terminal | 12.50 m | 200 m | 3 |
| Ro-Ro & Cruise Terminal | 9.90 m | 311 m | 8 |
| Car Terminal | 9.80 m | 265 m | 2 |
| Livestock Terminal | 6.20 m | 97 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2023Approach
Entry is direct from the pilot boarding position. The entrance to Basin 1 and the dredged channels leading to Basins 2 and 3 are marked by light buoys.
Fairway Buoy: Fl 10s 6M, in position 45°33.9'N 013°42.3'E.
Port limits
The seaward limits of the port are between "Debeli rtic" and "Rt Vilizan".
Traffic schemes and VTS
Traffic schemes have not been adopted.
Anchorages
Sheltered anchorage available. Anchorage can be found almost anywhere in Koprski Zaliv over a bottom of soft yellow mud or sand in depths of 17.0 -19.0m, but the holding is not good and all anchorages are exposed to winds between W and N. Shelter from the Bora and S winds can be found by anchoring under the lee of the sides of the bay. Mariners are advised to consider carefully weather conditions when anchoring in Koprski Zaliv.
Vessels carrying flammable or dangerous cargoes must anchor at least 0.5nm W of Petrolejska Luka.
Restrictions
A nature reserve has been established within 0.1nm of the shore around Debeli Rtic. It extends from about 0.2nm SE to 0.25nm NE of the point. Anchoring and navigation by power driven craft is prohibited.
Tugs
SMA (Slovenian Maritime Administration) will decide and give the order on how many tugs has to be used for mooring operations and also it is depends on weather and traffic conditions in Port of Koper.
Charts and publications
BA 1426; Hidrografski Institut Hrvatska 218, 100-15 and plan No 10. MPZ 01. Admiralty Pilot NP47, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Feb 2015ETA and pre-arrival notices
Subsequent ETA messages to include date and hour of arrival only.
The following draught information should be provided 24hrs prior to arrival: Max arrival draught for discharging and departure draught for loading.
For tankers, 48 hours prior to arrival, max arrival draught, Certificate of Insurance or other financial security in respect of civil liability for oil pollution damage.
Communications
Messages may be passed through Trieste Radio (Italy) or Rijeka Radio (Croatia). Both work throughout 24 hours.
Inmarsat communication is available direct to the vessel's agent.
VHF: Port Authority, Koper Pilot and tugs: Ch 16, 08. Available 24 hours.
Port: Tel: +386 5 665 6100, Fax: +386 5 639 5020, Email: [email protected].
Pilots: Ch 16, 08. Tel: +386 5 630 0160, Email: [email protected].
Harbour Master: Tel: +386 5 663 2106, Fax: +386 5 663 2110.
Tugs: Ch 08. Tel: +386 5 665 6318 or +386 5 665 6381, Fax: +386 5 665 6318.
Notice of readiness
Agent tenders to receiver or shipper in office hours and according to the Charter Party, otherwise it should be tendered to the Harbour Master. Tankers tender on arrival.
Documents
Originals and copies will be taken by the Harbour Master's representative, Police, Customs Officer, Port Security Officer and agent.
No other special forms are required.
Cargo documentation: Completion of paperwork by agency providing copies of Cargo Manifest and Bills of Lading. Other documents, if required, to be provided by Master. Vessels ready to sail should have their papers ready one hour after completion of discharging or loading.
Health
Free pratique is to be applied for and obtained after arrival of the vessel. It is not possible to apply for and obtain pratique by radio. As well as presenting a Maritime Declaration of Health, Masters must inform the port Authority of any suspicion of disease onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed in a period of 24 hours. If turn round time in the port is less than 24 hours certificates should be renewed prior to arrival.
Customs and immigration
Contact, Carinski urad Koper, Vojkovo nabrezej 36, SL-6104 Koper, Tel +386 5297 6000.
Customs and Immigration Officers board vessel at anchorage or berth. Customs allowance is 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits and a reasonable quantity of wine. Shore passes are issued by local police.
For officers and crew in transit there are no restrictions. When entering the country, only goods which may be considered personal effects are permitted. When leaving the country there is no limit. Penalties, for transgressors, depend upon the nature of the transgression.
Immigration: The procedure in the port is generally for a Customs Officer and an Immigration Police Officer to board on arrival and/or departure to check Seaman's Books/Passports of the crew/passengers.
Flags
National flag required, if not onboard can be supplied on arrival.
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: Ministry of Interior - Police.
For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jun 2023Repairs
Minor repairs can be done in the port. Electrical and electronic equipment available. Container repairs are provided in the port.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by barge or road tanker from Italy at 48 hours notice by arrangement with ship's agent.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Izola General Hospital, 7.2km.
Crew change
Repatriation possible, Hotel Triglav, 1km from port area.
Transport
Nearest airport: Portoroz Airport, 21.7km
Nearest railway: Koper in Koper, 3.7km.
Working hours
Mon-Fri 1st shift from 0600-1330hrs, 2nd shift from 1330-2100hrs. Overtime work: Mon-Fri 3rd shift from 2100-0430hrs and Sat 1st shift (+50%), Sat 2nd shift (+75%), Sat 3rd shift and Sun 1st, 2nd and 3rd shift (+100%), 3rd shift before holiday and on holiday (+150%).
About Koper
updated Apr 2026Where it is
Koper is situated in the north eastern part of the Adriatic Sea.
The port
A multipurpose port well positioned and sheltered harbour which ensures safe berthing. Specialised terminals handling all type of vessels carrying bulk, liquid, general and container cargoes.
Principal cargoes handled are foodstuffs, metals, livestock, coal, vehicles, timber, chemicals, fruit, grain, containers, bulk mineral ores and crude oil.
Traffic
Approximately 23,000,000t of cargo, 1,270,000TEU, 1,700 vessels and 120,000 passengers are handled annually.
Questions about Koper
Where does the pilot board at Koper?
The pilot boards at Koper (Capodistria) pilot boarding place, 45°33.8′N 013°41.6′E.
What time zone is Koper in?
Local time at Koper 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 Koper?
The deepest berth listed is at Iron Ore & Coal Terminal: 17.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Koper?
1025 - 1015, according to the weather conditions.
Which load line zone is Koper in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Koper?
Port State Control at Koper: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Koper?
The UN/LOCODE of Koper is SIKOP.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Koper 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.