Oulu

Size limits

LOA 241.79m, beam 35.20m, draught 10.0m, 38,898DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

None.

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

Approach

Oritakari and Nouttasaari: From a position approx 0.3nm NW of Oritkari Front Leading Light (64° 59.94N 25° 24'.64E), the recommended track has an authorised draught of 10.0m and leads 0.2nm ESE. From this point (for latest authorised draughts see chart) five side channels lead to the berths in Oritkari and Nuottasaari.

Oritakari Leading Lights: on a bearing of 124.6° (304.6°) Oritkari Front Leading Light (64° 59.94N 25° 24'.64E) (Alempi/Nedre Light 8990), a white and red tower, standing on the North West end of Oritakari Main Quay (light sequence Iso(1).WRG.4s) 16m high and visible from up to 13nm, in line with Oritkari Yiempi/Ovre Light approx 1.0km behind, a red and black stripe tower (light sequence Iso(1).W.6s) 42m high and visible from up to 18nm.

Nuottasaari Leading Lights, Main Quay: Front Light (Nuottasaari Yiempi/Ovre 47948) white marker with a black stripe on the SW end of the quay and Rear Light (Nuottasaari Yiempi/Ovre 47930) standing 53m ENE, also a white marker with a black stripe. Both are in line on a bearing 64.2° (244.2°).

Vihreasaari Harbour Oil Berth: From a position approx 0.7nm NW of Oritkari Front Leading Light (64° 59.94N 25° 24'.64E) a track leads a short distance ESE from the Oritkari Leading Line and then E on alignment with Vihreasaari Leading lights (white marker, red stripes) standing 0.15nm apart at the head of the Vihreasaari Harbour; in line bearing 83.8° (263.8°) they lead E from Oritkari leading line to the berth. Front light F.R. 6m high, visible from up to 4.0nm and rear light F.R. 8m high, visible from up to 3.0nm.

Compasses may be affected by local magnetic anomalies.

Traffic schemes and VTS

All vessels should report 1 hour prior to arrival at the pilot boarding position and on approaching the port. A report is also required on anchoring and on leaving the port or anchorage.

Anchorages

Good anchorage may be obtained in Oulu roadstead, approx 3nm WNW of Oulu, in depths of 10.0-14.0, clay and sand.

Well sheltered anchorage in depths of 6.4-7.7m, clay, can be obtained in the Northern part of Kuivasmeri (65° 5.082'N 25° 21.826'E).

Restrictions

In winter there are restrictions for vessels of less than 3,000DWT. Finnish ice class 1A strengthening normally required for period Jan 15-Mar 15.

Tugs

Icebreaking tug "Tuura" 3,600hp available. The use of a tug is recommended for vessels over LOA 80m.

Charts and publications

BA 2620, 3863. Finnish 275, 57. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).

US 44284. US Sailing Directions 195 (Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Bothnia).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Advise ETA 6 hours prior to arrival at pilot boarding area and ETD 2 hours in advance of departure.

Notice of readiness

NOR is to be tendered on arrival in accordance with the Charter Party. Working hours are normally 0800-1600hrs.

Health

Pratique should be applied for if there is contagious disease onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

Ship Sanitation Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: For a crew member's own use there is an allowance of 1 carton of cigarettes and 1-2 bottles of spirits. Penalty for exceeding the allowance depends on the quantity the allowance was exceeded by.

Immigration: If a vessel is carrying passengers, the ship's agent is to be advised in advance for an Immigration check. There are no restrictions for crew members.

Notices and regulations

Effective from 01st September 2016, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) requires sea carriers calling at EU ports to file Container Status Messages (CSMs). Vessels experiencing technical communication problems should report the issue via e-mail to the Commission's help-service email: [email protected].

Vihreasaari Harbour: Smoking and the use of open fires is strictly forbidden in this area. Access permits are granted on application by the Port of Oulu Traffic Manager or by Baltic Bulk Ltd, the operators of Vihreasaari.

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: Finnish Maritime Administration, Maritime Safety Department.

Position: Senior Maritime Inspector.

Address: PO Box 171, Porkkalankatu 5, FIN-00181 Helsinki, Finland.

Tel: +358 2 0448 4437.

Fax: +358 2 0448 4500.

Mob: +358 4 0515 5408.

Website: http://www.fma.fi

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

Repairs

Minor deck and engine repairs can be carried out.

Machine workshop, ship repair and welding services are available. Tel: +358 8 882 6888, Fax: +358 8 882 68000.

Repairs to radio and navaids: Tel: +358 8 580 5749.

Dry docks

Small ship building yard and a slipway, with lifting capacity of 200t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Many oil companies provide bunkers. Ordering easiest via ship's agent.

Stores: Available.

Shore Power can be ordered to vessels, from Port Control (Tel+358 44 703 2759)

Medical

Nearest hospital: Oulun Yliopistollinen Sairaala, 5.9km.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Oulu Airport, 13.3km.

Nearest railway: Oulunkylän, 3.4km.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1600hrs (meal break 1100-1200hrs), 2nd shift 1600-2359hrs. Saturday 0700-1500hrs.

Where it is

Oulu is situated at the mouth of the River Oulujoki, NE of the Gulf of Bothnia.

The port

The port covers an area of 180ha and consists of three harbour areas, Oritkari, Nuottasaari and Vihreasaari. A fourth port area, Toppila Docks, is now closed to commercial traffic and is being redeveloped with housing.

Oulu port has a Free Trade Zone Area of 18,000m², which offers economic advantages to importers and exporters. Open all year round, the port uses icebreakers to keep approach channels free between mid Dec and end Mar/early Apr.

The port handles container, salt, Ro-Ro, cardboard, forest products, bitumen, cement, grain, carbonate, kaolin, and chemicals.

Traffic

Approx 3,000,000t of cargo, 30,000TEU and 600 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Oulu?

Compulsory for foreign vessels and is provided by Bothnia Pilot from the main pilot station situated near the W point of Hailuoto island and close by Marjaniemi Light (65°02'N., 24°34'E.).

What time zone is Oulu in?

Local time at Oulu is UTC+2. Clocks go to UTC+3 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+2 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Oulu?

The deepest berth listed is at Oritkari Harbour: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Oulu?

1000.

Which load line zone is Oulu in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Oulu?

Port State Control at Oulu: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Oulu?

The UN/LOCODE of Oulu is FIOUL.

What crews who called at Oulu 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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