PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Odense
Pilot
- Odense boarding, No. 23 Lighted Buoy Pilot boards55°39.0′N 010°46.0′E
Key data
updated Jul 2020Size limits
LOA 333.19m, draught 9.9m, beam 50m, 153,617DWT.
Water density
1010-1018.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Zone for ships of 100m or less in length. Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
The tidal range is 0.4m. Gales from between E and SW may lower the water level by up to 1.5m and from between W and NE may raise it by up to 1.6m.
The ingoing current is strongest in calm weather conditions from Kristiansminde (55°35'N 010°25'E) to the entrance to the fjord (6nm SE). The outgoing current is strongest on the E side of the approaches as far as Fyns Hoved, particularly in gales from between SE and SW.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odense Port Terminal North | — | 210 m | 16 |
| Fynsvaerket Power Station | — | 113 m | 1 |
| Odense Port Terminal South | — | 333 m | 6 |
| Aalborg Portland Terminal Odense Branch | 6.80 m | 104 m | 3 |
| Unicon Cementir Holding Terminal | 6.80 m | 90 m | 6 |
| Emmelev Oil Terminal | 6.80 m | 160 m | 2 |
| DLG Terminal | — | 114 m | 4 |
| Flintholm Stone & Gravel Aps | — | — | 1 |
| H.J.Hansen Terminal | — | 100 m | 1 |
| Havnemollerne Terminal | — | 89 m | 1 |
| Heating Fyn Terminal | — | 115 m | 1 |
| Primagaz Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2020Approach
The dredged channel through Odense Fjord is marked on each side at frequent intervals by lightbuoys and light beacons (lateral), numbered from seaward. Additional lightbuoys and buoys are laid to mark the changes in the channel when required.
Many pairs of leading lights and two sectored lights, all numbered from seaward, lead through the several reaches of the channel to the entrance of Odense Kanal. Each light is exhibited from a red framework mast with a red triangle, point up over the front light, and point down over the rear light. Odense Kanal leads SSW and SW for about 4nm to Odense Havn. Both sides of the canal are illuminated by sodium lights ashore; km stones on the W bank denote the distance from the Customs house at the S end of Odense Havn.
The fairway is well marked for navigation throughout 24 hours. In winter when ice occurs, the local icebreaker passes through the fairway daily and vessels of normal construction will experience no difficulties.
Port limits
The N limit of the harbour is a line drawn across the canal at the 3km stone, in the vicinity of the shipyard, approx 1.5nm from its head.
Anchorages
Vessels with a draught of 6.0m or more should anchor approx 3nm N of Gabet in depths of 10-14m. The holding ground is good. Sheltered anchorage is obtainable inside Gabet in depths of 4-7.5m.
Restrictions
The max speed in Odense Channel is 6kts.
Odense Channel is spanned by overhead power cables with min vertical clearances of 45m.
Tugs
Tugs are equipped with VHF. An ice breaking tug of 600hp is available.
Charts and publications
BA 931. Danish 115. Admiralty Pilot NP18, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2020ETA and pre-arrival notices
Should be sent as soon as possible and pilot should be requested at least 6 hours in advance. ETA to confirmed at the "Fairway Buoy" 1 hour prior to arrival.
Communications
Port Contact:
Pilot: Ch 16, 12
Tel: +45 63 25 66 66
Email: [email protected]
Harbour Master:
VHF: Ch 12
Tel: +45 72 28 20 10
Email: [email protected]
Notice of readiness
NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.
Health
Free pratique normally granted on arrival by boarding Customs officers. Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates possible.
Customs and immigration
Customs allowances: One bottle of spirits and 200 cigarettes per person are allowed. If quantities in excess of the allowance are found the penalty is a fine. The size of the fine depends on the amounts in excess of allowances.
Clearance is handled by the agent but Customs Officers may board at any time to check the validity of the documents handed to the agent.
Immigration: There are no restrictions for crew. Passengers of nationalities which require a visa are only allowed transit in Denmark for 36 hours.
Notices and regulations
Tankers with inflammable liquid cargoes are not permitted to proceed above the oil berths and are also required to turn before berthing starboard side alongside.
Vessels lying alongside, outside another vessel, must show a white light on the side facing the harbour, close to the water line, in a place where it can best be seen.
It is prohibited for a vessel to turn under its own power with its stern to the jetty.
Regulations for narrow channels in Danish water are enforced both in the channel through the fjord and in Odense Channel with the addition that, any ship of and over 100DWT intending to transit the channel should contact the pilot station at Gabet from a position 5nm N of Odense Fjord Light or, if outbound, 30 minutes before departure.
Arriving vessels must wait for any vessels leaving the port.
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: Danish Coastal Authority.
Position: Senior Project Manager.
Address: Postboks 131, DK-7620, Lemvig, Denmark.
Tel: +45 99 63 63 63.
Fax: +45 99 63 63 99.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.maritimsikring.dk
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jul 2016Repairs
Local workshops can undertake various kinds of repairs to boilers, machinery and electrical installations.
Dry docks
There are 3 large building/drydocks of which 2 are capable of carrying out repairs to hull and machinery on vessels up to 200,000DWT, the largest, is suitable for vessels up to 500,000DWT.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at all berths at a rate of 10-15m³/hr.
Bunkering: Available by road tanker.
Medical
Odense University Hospital, 5.3km.
Crew change
Crew change is possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Odense Airport located at Odense N, 9.3km.
Nearest railway: Odense, 1km.
Working hours
Mon-Thu 0700-1530hrs; Fri 0700-1500hrs. Overtime can be arranged.
About Odense
updated Jan 2023Where it is
The port of Odense is located on the island of Funen, SW of the Kattegat, at the head of Odense Fjord.
The port
The port is serving the industrial area of the island of Fyn which located at the head of Odense Fjord. Exports include agricultural produce, cements, general cargo, machinery, meal and flour. Imports include cereals, coal, feed stuffs, fertilisers, general cargo, gravel, iron, kaolin, LPG, paper reels, petroleum products, salt and timber.
Traffic
Approx 2,000,000t of cargo and 840 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Odense
Where does the pilot board at Odense?
The pilot boards at Odense boarding, No. 23 Lighted Buoy, 55°39.0′N 010°46.0′E.
What time zone is Odense in?
Local time at Odense 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 Odense?
The deepest berth listed is at Aalborg Portland Terminal Odense Branch: 6.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Odense?
1010-1018.
Which load line zone is Odense in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Zone for ships of 100m or less in length.
Who carries out Port State Control at Odense?
Port State Control at Odense: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Odense?
The UN/LOCODE of Odense is DKODE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Odense 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.