Pitea

1. Pitea pilot boarding, E of Gasoren Light Pilot boards64°39.9′N 021°29.8′E
2. Pitea pilot boarding, N of Laskar Light (seasonal) Pilot boards65°09.1′N 021°37.5′E
3. Pitea pilot boarding, SE of Laskar Light Pilot boards65°06.4′N 021°39.6′E

Size limits

LOA 250m, beam 35m, draught 11.5.

Water density

1006.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 0.2m.

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

Approach

An inshore channel, suitable for shallow draught vessels, leads between the numerous islands and shoals off the mainland between Pitea and Lulea, 25nm NE. Local knowledge is required.

Channels for deeper draught vessels lead seaward, SW of Norstromsgrund (65°07'N 022°19'E), to an anchorage in Storfjarden 7nm ENE of Pitea.

Approach and entry:

Four channels lead from seaward to the head of Bondofjarden on the NE side of which lies the deep water harbour of Haraholmen.

The main shipping channel, depth 11.5m, leads close E of Nygran Light (65°01'N 021°42'E), passing W of the island of Javreholmen (65°08'N 021°41'E) to the deep water harbour of Haraholmen (65°14'N 021°38'E).

A secondary channel, suitable for vessel with a 10.0m draught leads W of Klockgrundet (65°04.3'N 021°56.2'E) and E of Lillhorun Nedre Light (65°09.6'N 021°41.7'E)

A side channel passing W of Nygran Light and E of Hesledengrund (65°01.4'N 021°36.8'E) joining the main channel S of Leskar Light (65°08'N 021°38'E). A side channel passing W of Nygran Light and W of Hesledengrund.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a mandatory reporting system for vessels with a draught greater than 3.5m intending to use Sandoleden.

Procedure: Vessels inbounds for Lulea should call the Signal Station (call Sandoleden or Tjuvholmssundet) before passing Farstugrunden (65°19'N 022°22'E).

Anchorages

Area B: NE of Nygran located 3.5nm NE of Nygran Light (65°01'N 021°42'E)

Javrefjarden: Anchorage may be obtained in depths of 14.0-19.0m, mud, in Area A, 1.75nm WSW of Leskar Light structure (65°08'N 021°38'E) but is exposed to winds from the E and S.

West of Huvan; Anchorage may be obtained W of Huvan (65°13.8'N 021°34.5'E), an island at the N end of Bondofjarden, in depths of 9.0-11m, mud. S winds raise some sea.

Yttrefjarden: Vessels can anchor off Skuthamn (65°16.5'N 021°31.0'E) in depths of 7.0-9.0m, mud.

For the Pitea oil terminal: Anchoring is prohibited in accordance with the applicable naval chart.

Restrictions

Vessel size: Haraholmen max LOA 250m, beam 35m.

Haraholmen: Vessels with LOA over 170m and/or draught over 9.5m, two pilots required, no night time berthing and min visibility 3nm.

Pitsundet: Only daylight manoeuvering permitted, minimum visibility required 3nm, max wind speed 15.5kts. Vessels with cranes on the port side are not suitable.

Speed: Must not exceed 8kts at Pitsundet (65°14'N 021°31'E) and Munksundet (65°17'N 021°29'E).

Bridge: A bascule bridge is located at Pitsundet in position 65°14'N 021°31'E, with a vertical clearance of 15m. The bridge opens at any time for commercial vessels. However, 3 hours notice is required and notice can be given by VHF Ch 16 and 09 to Pitea Harbour Office.

Tugs

Vessels with LOA 130m - 150m require 1 tug on arrival/departure. Vessels with LOA over 150m require 2 tugs on arrival/departure.

If a vessel has a working bow thruster, the tug requirement can be reduced by one. Tugs to be ordered 5 hours in advance.

Charts and publications

BA 1135, 976. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Prior notification must be made at least 24 hours before the estimated time of arrival of the ship to the Port of Pitea, regardless of whether the cargo is classified as dangerous goods or not.

Communications

VTS Lulea VHF Ch 13, order pilot at least 5 hours before arrival.

Port, tugs and linesmen: VHF Ch 09.

Documents

Documentation and information required in the notification:

1.The ship's name, IMO number, call sign, nationality, gross tonnage, length/beam and draught

2. The name of the ship owner/operator/manager, charterers, agents and recipients

3. ETA at pilot station

4. Designation of the cargo, number of tonnes to be unloaded, transited or loaded

5. Quality to be unloaded in TOV and the average temperature of the product

6. Class certificate/IOPP certificate, expiry date

7. ISPS protection level

8. Vetting approval, company and date

9. Current air draft to manifolds, quantity and dimensions

10. Dimensions and length of cargo hoses on board

11. Type of cargo pumps, typical unloading capacity, maximum unloading pressure

12. Estimated unloading time

13. Number of ship tanks to be unloaded/loaded

14. Inerted tanks, open/close sampling

15.Mooring equipment, wire cable/tail or fibre, dimensions, autowinches

16. Number of tonnes of bilge or sludge containing oil to be deposited

17. Quantity of bunkers to be received

18. Quantity of freshwater to be received

19. Notification of prewash at quayside, quantity of rinsing water to be left

20. Quantities to be left and naming of fractions of these

21. Recipient of food supplies/spare parts

22. Original cargo port, immediately preceding port and immediately following port

23. Crew list

24. Crew replacement

Copies of a completely filled-in notification must be sent to the receiving depot and load master before the ship arrives.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Customs and immigration

There is no Customs house at Pitea. Customs available only from Lulea.

Notices and regulations

Permits for particular traffic:

Dangerous goods must not be brought into the oil terminal without permission from the Port of Pitea. The permit indicates what special measures must be taken with respect to the nature of the cargo.

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.

Repairs

Minor repairs are possible.

Repair work on board requires permission from the Port of Pitea.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Call Harbour Office or agents for further information.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hospital in Pitea, 12km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Lulea Airport, 60km.

Nearest railway: Alvsbyn Station, 60km. A bus journey from Pitea city is included in the rail ticket price.

Working hours

Normally 0600-2300hrs (stevedores), 0700-1600hrs (port administration).

Where it is

Pitea is situated some 15km from the city, approx 30nm SW of Lulea and includes the port area of Haraholmen.

The port

The port mainly handles heavy fuel, diesel, petrol, chemicals, dry bulk, break bulk and containers.

Where does the pilot board at Pitea?

The pilot boards at Pitea pilot boarding, E of Gasoren Light, 64°39.9′N 021°29.8′E. Pitea has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Pitea in?

Local time at Pitea 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 Pitea?

1006.

Which load line zone is Pitea in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Zone for ships of 100m or less.

Who carries out Port State Control at Pitea?

Port State Control at Pitea: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Pitea?

The UN/LOCODE of Pitea is SEPIT.

What crews who called at Pitea 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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