PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Otterbacken
Pilot
updated Aug 2023Otterbacken pilotage is situated under the Pilot Area Vanern which includes the lake areas of Vanern and Gota alv with Trollhatte canal and Byalven with Saffle canal.
Pilotage is available throughout 24hrs and must be ordered no later than 24hrs before boarding and then again 5hrs before boarding. Ordering of a pilot must be done through the Swedish Maritime Single Window (MSW Reportal).
Pilotage is compulsory for:
Gota Alv (Tangudden to Vanersborg):
Vessels in pilot duty 2 with LOA 60m, width 9m, draught 4m or more.
Vessels in pilot duty 3 with LOA 60m, width 9m, draught 4m or more.
Vanern (Vanersborg to all ports)
Vessels in pilot duty 2 with LOA 70m.
Vessels in pilot duty 3 with LOA 70m.
Key data
updated Aug 2023Size limits
Max LOA 89m, beam 13.35m, draught 5.4m and 5,790DWT.
Water density
1000.
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
Nil.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk Terminal | 5.40 m | 89 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2023Approach
The fairway from Gothenberg is approx 50nm and the drop height between Vanern and the west coast in 44m. The approach follows NE of Lake Vanern approx 65nm to Otterbacken.
There are 6 locks, drop heights range between 6m and 8m, which cater for the height difference.
Lilla Edet lock has a height difference of 6m.
Brinkebergskulle lock has a height difference of 6m.
Four locks at Trollhattan have a total difference of 32m.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Sea traffic operates throughout 24hrs all year round. Max speed along the Trollhatte Canal is 10knts.
Restrictions
For vessels traversing from Vanersborg:
Located at Vanersborg is a railway bascule bridge (58° 22.727'N., 12° 18.546'E.) and Dalbobron Bascule Bridge (58° 22.950'N., 12° 18.665'E) which has a clearance of 16m. The railway bascule bridge is currently out of service (24/03/2023) for trains, due to structural damage, however it is still operational and able to open for vessels traversing to and from Vanersborg and Lake Vanern.
Any errors in marking, extinguished lights, drifting objects or anything that may be dangerous for shipping must be reported to the Maritime Administration.
Contact info:
Telephone +45(0)20 33 11 66 (available throughout 24hrs)
VHF: MSI SWEDEN or Stockholm Radio.
Tugs
Vanerhamn provides four icebreaker tugs that are positioned throughout Lake Vanern and are available during winter months only.
Charts and publications
SW 133.
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2023Communications
Otterbacken contact info:
Telephone: +46-0551-222 50 or +46 551 14 19 20
E-Mail: [email protected]
Maritime Administration.
Contact info:
Telephone +45(0)20 33 11 66 (available throughout 24hrs)
VHF: MSI SWEDEN or Stockholm Radio.
Swedish Icebreaking Management OPC contact info:
Telephone: Phone: +46(0)10 - 478 55 70
E-mail: [email protected]
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
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.
Port services
updated Aug 2023Medical
Nearest hospital: Skagern's care and health unit (4.15km) and Narhalsan medical centre Gullspang (14.6km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Karlstad Airport (67km), Linkoping City Airport (112km) and TrollhattanâVanersborg Airport (120km).
Nearest railway: Hova station (15km).
Nearest highway: Port has access to national road 26 which runs N to Kristinehamn and S to E20. E20 (European Route 20) runs from Gothenburg to Orebro.
Nearest public transportation: Bus routes throughout Otterbacken.
Working hours
0700-1600hrs Mon-Fri.
About Otterbacken
updated Aug 2023Where it is
Located in the E part of Lake Vanern close to the Gota Canal.
The port
Otterbacken is Lake Vanern's only natural deep-water harbour with a focus on dry cargo. The current permit for port operations allows for a maximum of 400,000t of cargo and 200 vessels handled annually. Since 1994, Vanerhamn AB have conducted the port and terminal operations at Otterbacken which consists of two berths handling a range of products including; fertiliser, glass, iron ore, lead, mineral ore, calcium oxide (quicklime), salt, scrap metal, slag and forest products.
The locality of Otterbacken has a rich history dating back to the construction of the railway, from Nora to Otterbacken, by Nora Bergslags Jarnvag (NBJ) in 1875. During the same period, NBJ owned the port and it led to the expansion of the port in 1955.
Traffic
Approx 400,000t of cargo and 111 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Otterbacken
What are the pilot arrangements at Otterbacken?
Otterbacken pilotage is situated under the Pilot Area Vanern which includes the lake areas of Vanern and Gota alv with Trollhatte canal and Byalven with Saffle canal.
What time zone is Otterbacken in?
Local time at Otterbacken 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 Otterbacken?
The deepest berth listed is at Bulk Terminal: 5.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Otterbacken?
1000.
Which load line zone is Otterbacken 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 Otterbacken?
Port State Control at Otterbacken: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Otterbacken?
The UN/LOCODE of Otterbacken is SEOTT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Otterbacken 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.