Lulea

1. Lulea pilot boarding, Rodkallen Pilot boards65°18.1′N 022°19.1′E
2. Luleå b) Pilot boards65°34.4′N 022°09.9′E

Size limits

LOA 299m, draught 11.2m

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 0.8 to 0.9m. Range 1.4m in strong wind conditions.

Within Sandoleden (65°30.5'N 022°22.0'E) the current is unpredictable but may run up to 3.0kts during spring floods.

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

Approach

There are two fairways: Sandgronnleden (depth 8.9m) and Sandoleden (depth 11.4m). The two channels meet SE of Sandon, a large island which lies across the approach, close S of the port.

Sandgronnleden: Leads N from the open sea for about 28.0nm, passing close W of Norstromsgrund Lighthouse, W of Rodkallen (65°19'N 022°22'E) and the W part of Sorbrandofjarden (0.3nm further NE), to join the main SE approach and the buoyed channel through Brandofjarden to the port of Lulea.

Sandoleden: Approach from SE, is the main deepwater channel. From seaward the channel leads NW for 20.0nm, passing NE of Farstugrunden Lighthouse, Norr-Aspen and Junkon and then through a cut in the isthmus at the SE end of Sandon to the channel, dredged to a depth of 12.0m, which leads across Sandofjarden to Uddebo, and then through Svartosundet to Lulea.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Information service: The VTS will provide vessels, normally on request, with information on other traffic in the area, restrictions to navigation, ice conditions and any other information of navigational significance.

Anchorages

Anchorage is available 2nm N of Farstugrund Light. Large vessels anchorage may be obtained in a depths of 21.0 to 33.0m, approx 1nm SE of Larsgrundet Light.

Restrictions

At night, only bulk carriers less than 200m LOA and less than 30m beam. Tankers must be double bottomed.

Call "VTS Lulea" for information half an hour before pilot, Farstugrund or Rodkallen.

The following speed restrictions apply to the approaches:

In Svartosundet (65°33'N 022°14'E) from the N point of Sandon to the lightbuoys near Stromoren; 9.0kts. A vessel, if its draught exceeds 3.5m, must proceed at the slowest possible speed consistent with safe manoeuvring between the lightbuoys off Stromoren and Malmkajen.

Large vessels must not attempt passage of Sandoleden in winds of 39.4kts and above.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 1010, 1009, 2098, 2252. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA at least 24 hours prior to arrival and 5 hours prior to arrival to pilots.

Communications

Pilot Center, VHF: Ch 11. Call sign "North Coast Pilot".

Tel: +46 771 630620. Fax: +46 26 99469. Email: [email protected].

Lulea Pilot, VHF: Ch 11. Call sign "Lulea Pilot".

Tel: +46 920 258393. Fax: +46 920 258392. Email: [email protected].

VTS Lulea, VHF: Ch 14, 16. Call sign "VTS Lulea".

Tel: +46 771 630675. Fax: +46 31 647779. Email: [email protected].

Health

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates possible.

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

Designated Authority: Swedish Maritime Administration/Swedish Maritime Safety Inspectorate.

Address: SE-601 78, Norrkoping, Sweden.

Tel: +46 11 191000

Fax: +46 11 101949

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Engine repairs possible. Divers available. Slip 105m in length with lifting capacity of 700t available.

Dry docks

There are no dry docking facilities available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: Available.

Fresh water: Available alongside, of a fairly good quality.

Medical

Lulea Hospital, 8km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kallax, 8km and Lulea, 17km.

Airport facilities: One of the biggest airports in Sweden (airfreight).

Nearest railway: Lulea, 8km.

Working hours

Normally Mon to Fri 0600-2200hrs. Overtime is possible everyday.

Where it is

Lulea is situated at the N end of the Gulf of Bothnia.

The port

The port is open for shipping all year due to the use of ice-breakers. The port handles dry goods, passengers and liquid products. Port of Lulea is the largest bulk goods port in Sweden and it is also one of the five largest port in Sweden.

Traffic

Approx 7,029,500t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Lulea?

The pilot boards at Lulea pilot boarding, Rodkallen, 65°18.1′N 022°19.1′E. Lulea has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Lulea in?

Local time at Lulea 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 Lulea?

The deepest berth listed is at Uddebo Oil Harbour: 11.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Lulea?

1000.

Which load line zone is Lulea in?

Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Lulea?

Port State Control at Lulea: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lulea?

The UN/LOCODE of Lulea is SELLA.

What crews who called at Lulea 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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