Porkkala

1. Porkkala N Pilot boards59°55.7′N 024°14.2′E
2. Porkkala S Pilot boards59°53.6′N 024°11.7′E

Size limits

LOA 180m, beam 32.2m, draught 9.2m, 37,301DWT.

Water density

1004.

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

Nil.

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

Approach

Channel N to Porkkala: The channel to Porkkala is authorised for a draught of 10m as far as Svino (60°04'N 024°21'E) and then 9.2m to Porkkala Harbour. There are numerous dangers on both sides of the channel, many of which are marked by buoys and lightbuoys moored on the channel side; leading marks and beacons are as follows:

Hermanskar Leading Lights (59°56.4'N 024°25.1'E) (red rectangles, yellow stripe) the rear on the SW end of Hermanskar Island, the front 1nm W on the islet of Fjardgrund, lead 085° across the E part of Porkkalanselka.

Muntersgrund Light, 0.2nm NW of Fjardgrund, is exhibited, from a red post with a white band; a radar reflector is fitted.

Flatgrund Front Leading Light (60°01'N 024°16'E), on the rock of that name and Stor Halso Rear Leading Light, 0.6nm NNW, on the S side of the islet of that name, are exhibited, each from a yellow rectangular board with a red stripe; the lights, in line bearing 341°, lead from Makiluoto passing close WSW of Langorn (59°59.0'N 024°18.4'E), to within 0.35nm SSE of Flatgrund.

Adgrundskobben Light (black and white mast on concrete base, elevation 10m, radar reflector) is situated on the rock of that name, 1.5nm SSE of Flatgrund Front Leading Light.

Notgrund Light (grey mast on concrete base, elevation 10m, radar reflector) is situated on the N islet of a group of that name, 0.7nm SE of Flatgrund Front Leading Light.

Mellanharu Front Leading Light (59°59.6'N 024°13.9'E), on a rock and Porsoklobb Rear Leading Light, on the NE side of the island of that name, 0.6nm SW of the front light, are exhibited, each from a white rectangular board with a red stripe; in line, bearing 228°, astern, they lead into the bay S of Pikkalafjard (60°04'N 024°19'E).

Sjovik Leading Lights (60°05'N 024°22'E), are exhibited, each from a white rectangular board with a red stripe, 0.175nm apart; in line bearing 004°, they lead to the entrance of the buoyed channel leading to Porkkala, on which alignment the authorised draught decreases to 9.2m.

The fairway leading inside the port basin, narrows from 120m in width at the entrance, to 76.5m at its inner end.

Anchorages

Outside of Porkkala pilot station, the pilot will advise details of anchorage.

Restrictions

None.

Tugs

Available.

Mooring

The use of mooring men is compulsory.

Charts and publications

BA 3820. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

To be advised 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. In addition to date and time of arrival the message should include the vessel's name, length and draught.

Communications

Helsinki Radio is recommended for passing messages. The station works R/T from 0600-2300hrs and W/T throughout 24 hours.

Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

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

Documents

Cargo documentation: Bill of Lading is required.

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.

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

Available.

Dry docks

The nearest docking facilities are in Helsinki, Kvaerner Masa Yards.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Only available by road tanker.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Kirkkonummi Medical Center, 7.2km.

Crew change

Crew change is possible by arrangement with agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Helsinki Airport, 48.9km.

Nearest railway: Kyrkslatt, 6.6km.

Working hours

Normally, Mon-Fri 0700-2300hrs.

Where it is

Porkkala is located on the S coast of Finland approx 30nm SW of Helsinki.

The port

Porkkala, also called Kantvik Harbour, owned by the city of Helsinki serves primarily as a bulk port. Coal required by the nearby power plants is imported through the port.

Nearby to the west is the private Prysmian Cables factory.

Traffic

Approx 600,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Porkkala?

The pilot boards at Porkkala N, 59°55.7′N 024°14.2′E. Porkkala has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Porkkala in?

Local time at Porkkala 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 Porkkala?

The deepest berth listed is at Kantvik Terminal: 9.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Porkkala?

1004.

Which load line zone is Porkkala 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 Porkkala?

Port State Control at Porkkala: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Porkkala?

The UN/LOCODE of Porkkala is FIPOA.

What crews who called at Porkkala 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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