PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Raahe
Pilot
updated Sep 2015Compulsory. Pilotage is ordered through the Finnpilot Order Centre, Western Pilotage Zone. The station is equipped with radar.
Pilot boards in position 64°38.78'N 024°12.32'E.
Key data
updated Jun 2020Size limits
LOA 200m, beam 32.26m, draught 10.0m, 40,000DWT.
Water density
1002-4.
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.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raahe Deep Water Quay | 10.00 m | 197 m | 2 |
| Lapaluto | — | 200 m | 5 |
| SSAB - Rautaruukki | — | 155 m | 7 |
| Ruukki metals Oy | 7.80 m | 155 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 Jun 2020Approach
Harbours Rautaruuki and Lapaluoto are approached from the W, passing N of Nahkiainen Lighthouse (64°36.71'N 023°53.81'E), entering by the buoyed channel, draught of 10.0m, passing S of Raahe Lighthouse (64°39.10'N 024°13.39'E).
Traffic schemes and VTS
A mandatory traffic scheme is operated by Bothnia VTS in the Gulf of Bothnia. Sector D includes the approaches to Oulu, Kemi and Tornio and the waters to the Swedish boundary.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained to seaward of Raahe Lighthouse (64°39.0'N 024°14.0'E), in depths of 15.0-20.0m. There is an inner anchorage approx 0.6nm NE of Heikinkari Light structure, S of the fairway, in a depth of 11.5m.
Tugs
One tug available, "Isbjorn", 1,600hp.
Charts and publications
BA 3873, 2602. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2015ETA and pre-arrival notices
To be advised 24 and 6 hours prior to arrival. In addition to date and time of arrival the message should include the vessel's name, length and draught.
Communications
VHF: Harbour Office: Tel: +358 8 227 7555 (0800-1530hrs). Tel: +358 40 135 6794 (ISPS , 24hrs)
Pilots: Finnpilot Order Centre: Western Pilotage Zone: Tel: +358 400 907979. Fax: +358 29 525312. Email: [email protected]
Ruukki Metals OY Harbour: Ch 16, 09, 12, 13. Tel: +353 20 592 2335.
Bothnia VTS: Ch 67. Tel: +358 206 373762. Email: [email protected]
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.
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: 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
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
A slipway and small repair yard are available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Shell, Esso, Neste available by road tanker.
Medical
Raahe Hospital, 6km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Oulu, 80km NE of Raahe.
Nearest railway: Approx 6km to station, rail link on the quays.
Working hours
Rautaruukki, throughout 24 hours.
About Raahe
updated Jun 2020Where it is
Raahe is located on the W coast of Finland, in the Gulf of Bothnia, approx 30nm SW of Oulu.
The port
The port, the fourth largest in Finland, consists of three berthing areas, Rautaruukki to the N handles the steel works' products and at the SW end of Lapaluoto, handles bulk cargoes. The berths are protected by two detached breakwaters. Helmi Pier, along a short side channel, is an iron ore discharging berth. The port has built a new 355m deep water quay and the depth of the shipping channel has been increased from 8.0m to 10.0m.
Imports include coal, iron ore, limestone, containers and heavy fuel.
Exports are mainly timber, containers and steel.
Traffic
Approx 5,500,000t of cargo, 1,000TEU and 600 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Raahe
What are the pilot arrangements at Raahe?
Compulsory. Pilotage is ordered through the Finnpilot Order Centre, Western Pilotage Zone.
What time zone is Raahe in?
Local time at Raahe 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 Raahe?
The deepest berth listed is at Raahe Deep Water Quay: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Raahe?
1002-4.
Which load line zone is Raahe 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 Raahe?
Port State Control at Raahe: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Raahe?
The UN/LOCODE of Raahe is FIRAA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Raahe 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.