PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Lorient
Pilot
updated Feb 2017- Lorient pilot boarding Pilot boards47°40.0′N 003°26.5′W
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels exceeding LOA 60m. There are 2 pilots available and they should be contacted on VHF Ch 16, working Ch 12 at least 2 hours prior to arrival. The pilot boats operate throughout 24 hours. There are two pilot boats each LOA 13m. This station provides pilotage to Quiberon and the ports and passages of Belle Ile.
For inbound vessels should send their ETA to the pilot 18 hours in advance (or on departure from previous port of call). Vessels expected to arrive between 1800hrs and 0800hrs should send their ETA before 1800hrs LT at the latest on the previous day.
Vessels should make VHF contact 1 hour before arrival as follows:
Day: To the pilot office or Lorient Port Control (Harbour Master).
Night: To Lorient Port Control (Harbour Master) or Beg Melen Signal Station.
Outbound vessels should send request for pilot at least 2 hours before departure.
The pilot boards 3nm ENE of Pen Men Light (47°39.0'N 003°30.5'W) or 2nm S of Point de Gavres. In bad weather, if the pilot vessel is not in position, vessels should anchor in position 47°40.0'N 003°25.0'W and call the station 1 hour in advance on VHF Ch 16 to receive instructions.
Boarding ladders should be positioned about 1m above the waterline.
If the weather is too bad for boarding, vessels should proceed to the waiting anchorage.
Key data
updated Nov 2021Size limits
LOA 288.93m, beam 45m, draught 10m, 180,230DWT.
Water density
1018.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
HW: 5.06m
LW: 0.9m
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregates Terminal | 10.00 m | 289 m | 2 |
| Kergroise Quay | — | 230 m | 3 |
| Depot Petrolier de Lorient (DPL) | 9.40 m | 225 m | 1 |
| Lorient Ferry Terminal | — | 43 m | 1 |
| Fishing Harbour | — | 244 m | 5 |
| Port Tudy Ferry Terminal | — | 40 m | 1 |
| Rohu Terminal | — | 103 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 2021Approach
There are 2 entry channels to the port. The S channel, controlling depth 4.1m over the bar, is used mainly by local fishing boats.
The W channel is the main ship channel, marked by the alignment of Port Louis Light and Les Soeurs Light. The depth in this channel is 8.0m CD.
Both channels are very well marked.
Port limits
In the S: The line from the castle of Port Louis (47°42.6'N 003°21.8'W) to the tip of Kernevel (740m NNW).
In the N: The line from the tip of Esperance (47°44.5'N 003°20.6'W) to the N side of the fore port of the dock harbour (550m WNW).
Anchorages
Anchorage is situated in the sheltered road position between mainland and Isle of Groix. Water depths of 15.0-20.0m, sand and shell, good holding ground. Anchorage is approx 4.5nm from the landing stage.
Restrictions
Times of entry and departure are dictated by the tidal streams in Passage de la Citadelle (47°42.7'N 003°22.0'W).
It is recommended that the average vessel passes through the narrows at HW slack which occurs 20 minutes before HW Port-Louis under normal conditions and from 30 to 45 minutes before HW Port-Louis when the rivers are in spate.
When the range of the tide is average or above average the pilot may advise waiting for slack water depending on the vessels power and manoeuvrability.
Speed limits: 13kts between A6 Lightbuoy (port hand) (47°41.5'N 003°23.3'W) and La Petite Jument Light Beacon (port hand) (47°42.6'N 003°22.0'W).
10kts between La Petite Jument Light Beacon (port hand) and Port-Militaire. In this section vessels must not cause a wash especially when passing small craft berths at Kernevel, Kergroise and Avant-Port and vessels anchored in the roadsteads with lighters alongside.
5kts for vessels permitted to navigate within naval waters.
Restricted area: A restricted area, in which entry of non-naval vessels is prohibited without permission, exists around Port Militaire from Beg-er-Men WSW to the vicinity of No 13 Buoy (starboard hand), then N to a position close S of Mole No 1.
Tugs
Tugs should be ordered through agent with at least 24 hours before arrival/departure/shifting. Three tugs are available, 1 x 2,500hp, 1 x 1,700hp and 1 x 700hp.
Charts and publications
BA 2821, 2521. French 6470. US Publication 143. Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Feb 2017ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels fitted with a VHF trasmitter/reciever are required to keep a listening watch on VHF Ch 12 within the maritime and river regulation area.
Traffic signals may be raised on the mast of the Citadelle de Port Louis. These signals regulate port traffic in the main channel between Lightbuoy A8 and Banc de Turc Lightbuoy.
Vessels should send departure requests to the harbour master's office.
Communications
VHF: Port Authority: Ch 12 (working).
Pilot and Tugs: Ch 16, 12. Pilot Tel: +33 2 97 21 46 47, Email: [email protected]. Hours 0900-1800 and one hour before vessel is expected.
Health
Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificate possible.
Flags
National flag is required by all vessels under way by day.
Notices and regulations
Normally these vessels are authorised to enter Rade de Lorient from 2 hours before to 1 hour after HW, day or night, provided the wind is less than 33kts and visibility more than 700m.
NAVIGATION IN THE PASSES DE LORIENT: The channels starting at A2 Lightbuoy (port hand) (47°41.0'N 003°25.0'W) at the entrance to Passe de l'Quest, and Bastresses Sud Lightbuoy (starboard hand) (47°40.8'N 003°22.0'W) at the entrance to Passed du Sud, are deemed to be narrow channels or fairways within the meaning of Rule 9 of The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS: International Port Traffic Signals are displayed from a mast at the signal station on La Citadelle de Port-Louis. Information on vessel movements can be obtained from La Citadelle de Port-Louis on VHF Ch 16. The vessel prohibited signal does not apply to a vessel which is already between La Potee de Beurre (0.4nm SSW of La Citadelle) and La Citadelle de Port-Louis when it is first shown.
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, Indian Ocean 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
Position: Head of Sea Defense.
Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France
Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30
Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53
Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Aug 2021Repairs
Available at naval dockyard. Divers available, 150t crane.
Dry docks
Largest drydock 203m x 36m, depth over sill 7.0m, in Bassin No 3 owned by French Navy.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available ex quay, rate 10tph.
Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers can be delivered by barge or road tanker.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Scorff Hospital (300m)
Transport
Nearest airport: Aéroport de Lorient Bretagne Sud (8km).
Nearest railway: Lorient (3km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Lorient
updated Nov 2021Where it is
Lorient is located on the S coast of Brittany, at the confluence of the rivers Ter, Blavet and Scorffi, 50nm N of the mouth of the River Loire.
The port
The port has 1031m of quayage which is used primarily for the handling of general, bulk and oil cargoes.
Traffic
Approx 2,400,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Lorient
Where does the pilot board at Lorient?
The pilot boards at Lorient pilot boarding, 47°40.0′N 003°26.5′W.
What time zone is Lorient in?
Local time at Lorient 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 Lorient?
The deepest berth listed is at Aggregates Terminal: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Lorient?
1018.
Which load line zone is Lorient 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 Lorient?
Port State Control at Lorient: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Lorient?
The UN/LOCODE of Lorient is FRLRT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Lorient 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.