Moss

Size limits

Mossesundet: Draught 11.0m, 28,000DWT.

Verlebukta: Draught 9.5m, 20,000DWT.

Water density

1005-1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Mean spring range 0.3m.

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

Approach

The S part of the harbour is approached from the main channel of Oslofjorden, in the vicinity of 59°24.0'N 010°37.0'E, passing S of Jeloya, then entered through Verlebukta.

The N part of the harbour is approached from the main channel of Oslofjorden, in position 59°38'N 010°37.0'E, passing N of Jeloya, then entered through Mossesundet.

It is reported as being safe to approach the berths in Verlebukta with a draught of 9.5m.

Mossesundet (59°29.0'N 010°41.0'E), a narrow arm of the sea between Jeloya and the mainland, provides a deep water approach to Moss in which depths of more than 20.0m can be maintained to a number of the major berths.

The inner harbour usually freezes during the winter but the channel is usually kept open by icebreakers.

The direction of buoyage is from S to N in Vaerlebrygga, Mossekanalen and then in Mossesundet; whereas entry to Mossesundet is from N to S.

Approach from S through Verlebukta: From the vicinity of 59°24.0'N 010°37.0'E, the track, initially within a white sector (031°-036°) of Verlebrygga Light standing on the head of Verlebrygga at the S end of the canal, leads NNE for about 1.75nm, passing WNW of Revlingrevet, a small islet on the NW extremity of which stands Revlingen Light. The NW edge of the bank is marked by a spar buoy (starboard hand) which is moored within the 20.0m depth contour. This contour extends into the white sector on the light with a depth of 18.0m, and ESE of Steinergrunnen, then ESE of the reef fringing Reiertangen which is marked off its S end by a spar buoy (port hand), then clear of Espenesgrunna which extends over the E half of the white sector and is marked on its E side by a spar buoy (isolated danger), also of a 10m patch close NNE, then ESE of Grimsrodhausen which is marked on its W side by a spar buoy (port hand), then ESE of isolated rocks which lie on the NW edge of the white sector, then ESE of a wreck with a least depth of 8.0m over it which also lies on the NW edge of the white sector.

Approach from N through Mossesundet: From the vicinity of 59°32.0'N 010°38.0'E the white sector (128°-162°) of Saueholmene Light on the W side of the S of a chain of islets, leads from Oslofjorden towards the entrance to Mossesundet, passing NE of Bevoykollen then SW of Middelgrunnen which is marked by spar buoys, (S cardinal at its S end and starboard hand at its N end).

Clearing line: The line of bearing, 176°, of the E extremity of Gjova (59°30'N 010°40'E) open W of the S islet of Saueholmene, 0.5nm N, clears close W of Middelgrunnen.

Port limits

Moss Harbour District limit extends SW from the mainland in position 59°25.1'N 010°39.4'E, includes Jeloya and off-lying islets and shoals, and has its N limit at Lovikholmen (59°29.3'N 010°41.2'E).

Anchorages

Outer anchorages:

Verlebukta: E of a line from the light on Revlingen (59°24.0'N 010°38.0'E) to the light on Verlebrygga, 2nm NNE, is to be used as an anchorage for vessels which approach Moss from the S and have not been allocated a berth or anchorage.

Mossesundet: In the bay to the W of a line from Kippenes Light (59°29.0'N 010°40.0'E) to Kjellandsviktangen, 1.5nm SSW, is to be used as an anchorage for vessels which approach Moss from the N and have not been allocated a berth or anchorage.

Approach from S: Anchorage suitable for coasters can be obtained off the NE side of Revlingen (59°24.0'N 010°38.0'E) in a depth of 18.0m.

Mossundet Anchorage can be obtained as follows:

Kongshavn (59°29.8'N 010°40.0'E) affords anchorage for coasters in position 0.6nm NNW of Kippenes in a depth of 20.0m, clay, with Saueholmene hidden by Gjova. The bottom slopes steeply E and is rocky to the N.

The bay N of Kjellandsviktangen (59°28.0'N 010°40.0'E) affords good anchorage 0.5nm N of the point and 0.15nm from the shore in depths of 12.0-20.0m clay and sand. This is a laying up area for large tankers.

At the S end of Mossesundet, off the town of Moss, anchorage is recommended off the W shore, 0.2nm N of the canal entrance; and off the E shore, 0.6nm NNE of the canal entrance.

Quarantine anchorage: Vessels under quarantine should be anchored in one of the outer anchorages given above.

Tugs

Available from Horten or Fredrikstad.

Charts and publications

BA 3159, 3717; Norwegian 482. Admiralty Pilot NP56, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Arrival Notification, in the prescribed format, to the Navy should be made 24 hours before entering Norwegian territorial waters (baseline), also see Hazmat notification if dangerous/noxious cargo onboard. See country information. Additional ETA's should be sent 12 and 6 hours prior to arrival to the vessel's agent.

Communications

Any Norwegian Coastal Radio station can be used for passing messages at long range. All coastal radio stations are operated 24 hours a day throughout the year.

Inmarsat communication available up to Lat 75°N.

VHF: Moss Port: Ch 16, 12 and 14.

Horten pilot: Ch 13.

Standard messages

See country information.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered in accordance with Charter Party when vessel is ready to start loading/discharging. When berth is not available for loading/discharging, NOR to be tendered when anchoring or according to charter party.

Documents

Note: (1) At first port of call in Norway, only.

The above are required by Customs. Additional Crew and Passenger Lists are required by Immigration officials.

There are no special forms to be completed. Agent can supply Customs forms if not available onboard.

Health

There is no need to apply for pratique.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates (SSCC) can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Allowance for crew and officers is that stated on the Personal Effects Declaration. Goods on the declaration are not to be taken ashore. Penalties for non compliance are severe fines.

Immigration: Board at first port of call (cruise ships only). They require a Crew List and a Passenger List and will make random passport inspections. All passports should be available for a quick clearance which normally takes 15-20 minutes.

Notices and regulations

There is a speed limit of 4kts between Reiertangen (59°25'N 010°38'E) and Mossekanalen, 1nm NE; then through the canal and N in Mossesundet to Rossnestangen (59°26.8'N 010°39.5'E).

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.

Inspection of ships in Norway

Norwegian Maritime Authority

Address: Smedasundet 50 A, Haugesund

Tel: +47 52 74 51 30

Fax: +47 52 74 50 01

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Norwegian Maritime Authority

Address: Smedasundet 50 A, Haugesund

Tel: +47 52 74 51 30

Fax: +47 52 74 50 01

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sjofartsdir.no

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: DNV

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Norwegian Maritime Authority

Port Security Information: Norwegian Costal Administration

Telephone: +47 22 65 58 20

Website: www.kystverket.no

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

Repairs

Available.

Dry docks

Drydock available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Is Available at all berths.

Bunkering: Fuel can be obtained at some berths, otherwise by lorry or barge.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Available in Oslo. Seaman's doctor, Tel: +47 69 25 16 55.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Oslo.

Nearest railway: Moss.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1500hrs. Overtime available on request.

Where it is

Moss is situated on the eastern shore of Oslo Fjord, 57km SE of Oslo.

The port

The port is divided into two areas, divided by an isthmus joining Jeloya to the mainland and connected by a canal with depth 4.4m, width 11.2m. The S part of the harbour is in Verlebukta and the N part in Mossesundet. The port handles containers, steel, bulk, general cargo, Ro-Ro traffic and passengers.

Exports include: Cellulose and paper. Imports include: Corn, food, steel, liquid chemicals, glass, sand and other raw materials.

Traffic

Approx 413,800t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Moss?

Pilot, if required, boards 1.5nm E of Stores Faerder Lighthouse at the entrance to Oslo fjord.

What time zone is Moss in?

Local time at Moss is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Moss?

1005-1025.

Which load line zone is Moss 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 Moss?

Port State Control at Moss: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Moss?

The UN/LOCODE of Moss is NOMSS.

What crews who called at Moss 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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