PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Oldenburg
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory pilotage from Elsfleth to Oldenburg for vessels with more than 10m beam; advise 24 hours prior to arrival, to vessel's agent or Hunte pilots (Tel: +49 441 601263).
Key data
updated Sep 2020Size limits
LOA 88.62m, draught 4.0m, beam 12.62m, 3,027DWT
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 2.6m. Height of tide of about 2.4m at MHW.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordkaje Terminal | 4.00 m | 88 m | 1 |
| Osthafen Terminal | 4.00 m | 85 m | 1 |
| Rhein-Umschlag Terminal | 4.00 m | 89 m | 1 |
| Rheinstrasse Industrial Port | 4.00 m | 85 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 Sep 2020Approach
Approach: directly from the River Hunte, a tributary of River Weser. The banks of the river are marked by lights (fixed yellow) from the mouth to the S end of Elsfleth. Thereafter the fairway is not lit but is marked by beacons with stripes of light reflecting material, one stripe indicating the starboard hand, two stripes the port hand; the axis of the fairway lies about midway between the beacons.
Traffic schemes and VTS
None.
Anchorages
None.
Restrictions
Oldenburg railway bascule bridge at 0.5km has two passages, each with a navigable width of 20m and a vertical clearance of 2.0m when closed.
The railway bridges are opened in conformity with the railway timetables. The road bridge can be opened from two hours before sunrise to two hours after sunset.
Several overhead cables, with vertical clearances of 27-38m, cross Die Hunte.
Tugs
Tugs available at Elsfleth and Brake.
Mooring
No special requirements.
Charts and publications
Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP283(1)
Reporting before arrival
updated Jun 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA to be advised to agent.
Communications
VHF: Oldenburg Bridge Radio: Ch 73
Lock: Ch 20, Tel: +49 44199 82430
Standard messages
Advised by agent.
Notice of readiness
Contact agent.
Health
Clearances undertaken at Brake or Elsfleth prior to proceeding to Oldenburg.
Customs and immigration
Customs undertaken at Brake or Elsfleth prior to proceeding to Oldenburg.
Flags
A flag with different colours, has to be shown at a min height of 6m when on the River Hunte.
Notices and regulations
Regulations exist concerning speed, prohibition of night passage, conduct of deeper draught vessels and combinations of vessels towed.
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: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie.
Position: Head of Maritime Shipping Department.
Address: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt u. Hydrographie (BSH) Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency Section S42 - Martime Security
Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78
20359 Hamburg, Germany
Tel: +49 40 3190 7420
Fax: +49 40 3190 5009
Mob: +49 40 3190 7777
Web: http://www.deutsche-flagge.de/
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Repairs are only available afloat. A local ship building yard is available.
Dry docks
None available in the port. The local yard is equipped with a fitting out quay and a patent slip for vessels up to LOA 130m, beam 20m, draught 5.0m and 12,000DWT.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at Eastport.
Bunkers: Fuel oils available.
Stores: Provisions available.
Medical
Puis Hospital (Tel: +49 441 2291).
Crew change
Generally possible; request through agent.
Transport
Nearest airport: Bremen.
Airport facilities: International Airport.
Nearest railway: Oldenburg.
Working hours
Normally 0600-1700hrs; additional shifts possible.
About Oldenburg
updated Sep 2020Where it is
Oldenburg is located in the N of Germany, on the intersection of the River Hunte and the Kustenkanal (Coast canal), 30nm W of Bremen.
The port
The port handles mainly imports (97%) consisting of dry bulk, animal feed, and construction materials such as sand and gravel. Exports (3%) consist of dry bulk and scrap metal.
It is also a transit port for coastal vessels travelling between the Rhein-Rhur area and the Weser area. The harbour is spanned by a railway bascule bridge (0.5km).
Traffic
Approx. 1,000,000t of cargo, 1,100 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Oldenburg
What are the pilot arrangements at Oldenburg?
Compulsory pilotage from Elsfleth to Oldenburg for vessels with more than 10m beam; advise 24 hours prior to arrival, to vessel's agent or Hunte pilots (Tel: +49 441 601263).
What time zone is Oldenburg in?
Local time at Oldenburg 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 Oldenburg?
The deepest berth listed is at Nordkaje Terminal: 4.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Oldenburg?
1000.
Which load line zone is Oldenburg 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 Oldenburg?
Port State Control at Oldenburg: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Oldenburg?
The UN/LOCODE of Oldenburg is DEOLO.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Oldenburg 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.