Kotka

1. Kotka pilot boarding, Santio Pilot boards60°27.0′N 027°42.0′E
2. Haapasaari Pilot boards60°15.0′N 027°16.9′E
3. Kotka pilot boarding, Kotkan Majakka Pilot boards60°07.0′N 026°30.0′E
4. Kotkan Majakka Pilot boards60°10.0′N 026°36.2′E
5. Orrengrund N Pilot boards60°16.8′N 026°26.0′E

Size limits

LOA 244.97, draught 10.0m, beam 35.2m, 75,800DWT

Water density

1003.

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.

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

Approach

The approach route used to the port will depend on vessel draught.

The Mussalo SW approach channel: Has safe clearance depth of 18.4m, reducing to 17.5m off Mussalo Harbour and is authorised for a draught of 15.3m, it leads from a position SE of Tiiskeri (60°09.7'N 026°15.7'E) to the Deep Water Terminal, on the SE corner of Mussalo Island (60°27'N 026°53'E). The channel then continues beyond Mussalo Harbour to the Oil Harbour and City Terminal/Hietanen, with authorised draughts of 10.0m.

The W approach Channel: Is authorised for a draught of 10.0m. The route leads from E of Tiiskeri to join the S Finland Winter Channel N of Lalatta (60°17.2'N 026°33.2'E) and approached Kotka from N of Kaunissaari (60°22.0'N 026°46.0'E).

Haapasaari Channel: Kotka may be approached from Haapasaari (60°17'N 027°12'E), using a channel authorised for a draught of 6.0m; routes lead from SE and SW to Haapasaari.

East Channel: A fourth route, which branches from the Hamina S approach channel, leads to Kotka from the E, and is authorised for a draught of 7.3m.

Anchorages

For vessels using the Deep Water Terminal and the Oil Harbour, the outermost anchorage area is 5nm S of Tainio Light (60°12.7'N 026°24.7'E) in the vicinity of the pilot boarding area.

The inner anchorage is in the vicinity of Havouri (60°26.0'N 026°57.0'E).

Good anchorage can be obtained in Norkansalmi, the E roadstead, 0.2nm WNW of Pirkoyri (60°27.8'N 026°58.8'E), or 0.5nm farther N, in depths of from 11.0-16.5m, clay bottom; local knowledge is required.

Restrictions

An overhead power cable with a vertical clearance of 33m extends from the NW corner of Harniemen, NNW to Hietanen.

Tugs

Tugs available. To ensure safe movement, the vessel is obliged to use tugs to assist. During towing assistance hatches or valves must not be opened on a vessel carrying hazardous cargo. The Port Authorities can order the vessel to use a tug/tugs.

Mooring

Available throughout 24 hours. A berthing pilot is compulsory.

Vessels must always have a permit for berthing, unberthing or for moving within the port area. Pilots require 24 hours notice for vessels departing.

A vessel can be moored alongside another vessel only with consent from the Port Authorities.

A vessel not loading or unloading cargo is not allowed to stay at the port without consent from the Port Authorities.

Only ropes or wire rope combinations are permitted when mooring a vessel carrying flammable liquid.

When staying at port, the main engine of the vessel shall be kept ready for operation at all times.

After mooring the vessel shall place sufficient emergency towing wires outside the vessel at fore and stern. These wires shall be kept above the water level during the entire mooring time at quay, and they shall be fastened to the bollards of the vessel so that they allow a towing length of 40m.

When on berth, the vessel sides shall be fitted with enough protective fenders. Avoid using the anchor when on berth.

Charts and publications

BA 2260, 3813, 2264. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA to be advised 7 days prior to arrival of vessel.

Vessels arriving at the port for loading/unloading or carrying bulk chemicals or oil products shall submit the Port Authorities with an advance notice covering the chemicals and oil products to be loaded/unloaded at the port. The vessel shall notify the technical name(s) of the goods and the total quantity/quantities.

The advance notice shall be given to the Port Authorities at least 24 hours before ETA of the vessel in the port area.

Communications

Helsinki Radio is recommended for passing messages. The station works R/T from 0600-2300hrs and W/T throughout 24 hours.

Inmarsat communication is available.

VHF: Kotka Pilot: Ch 13.

Kotka Port Control: Ch 11, 13, 14, 16.

National Response Centre: Kotka VTS, VHF Ch 67.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be handed to the agents upon arrival.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate required.

Flags

While in port, vessels carrying hazardous cargo must during the daytime display the International signal flag B on their mast or in some other visible location, and at night a red light, which can be widely seen.

Notices and regulations

Hot work operations: All hot work operations must always have a permit from the Port Authorities. Welding, burning, oxygen cutting or similar work, electrical, as well as using other such apparatus which might emit sparks, are regarded as hot work operations.

All electrical equipment used on the vessel must always be faultless and duly approved.

All fire fighting equipment on the vessel must be in full operational condition.

Authorities Inspection: The representative of Port of Kotka is authorised to inspect the vessel in terms of the Port Regulations and the regulations at hand. The Master of the vessel is obliged to observe the orders given by the inspector and to facilitate the inspector's work by providing assistance, whenever needed.

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].

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

Repairs

Available. There is a berth, length 230m, for afloat repairs.

Repairs made in the port area are controlled by Kotka Port Authority.

Dry docks

There are 2 floating drydocks available. The largest can accommodate vessels of up to LOA 127m and has a width of 20m, 7.0m sill depth and a lifting capacity of 5,000t.

A slipway with a capacity of 200t, 110m length, with 3.0m depth over the keel blocks is available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkers: Available from Esso, Neste, Shell and Teboil. Advance notice of 24 hours is required.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Availabe in Kotka.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Helsinki Vantaa, 130km.

Airport facilities: All facilities at Helsinki.

Nearest railway: Kotka.

Working hours

Normally 0600-2200hrs, Sat 0600-1100hrs.

Where it is

Kotka is located on the S coast of Finland approx 60nm E of Helsinki.

The port

Kotka has merged with the port of Hamina to create Port of HaminaKotka Ltd.

Kotka is the largest exporting port in Finland with paper being the largest single export product. The port serves as a transit port for cargoes to and from Russia as well as products from the eastern part of the country. There are 5 Terminals and Private Quays with good facilities for bulk cargoes, containers, oil products and chemicals as well as general goods.

The port remains open throughout the year with the use of icebreakers.

Traffic

Approx combined cargo handled for Hamina and Kotka: 15,000,000t of cargo, 600,000TEU and 2,500 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Kotka?

The pilot boards at Kotka pilot boarding, Santio, 60°27.0′N 027°42.0′E. Kotka has 5 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Kotka in?

Local time at Kotka 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 Kotka?

The deepest berth listed is at Mussalo Bulk Terminal: 13.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kotka?

1003.

Which load line zone is Kotka 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 Kotka?

Port State Control at Kotka: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kotka?

The UN/LOCODE of Kotka is FIKTK.

What crews who called at Kotka 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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