PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Reykjavik
Pilot
updated May 2021- Reykjavik boarding position A Pilot boards64°11.5′N 021°57.5′W
- Reykjavik boarding position B Pilot boards64°10.1′N 021°55.8′W
- Reykjavik boarding position C Pilot boards64°10.3′N 021°53.5′W
Compulsory. Masters of ships calling more than eight times a year
may apply for a Pilotage Exemption Certificate. All vessels carrying
hazardous or dangerous cargo must use a Pilot. All vessels must give
the Harbour Office at least 24 hours' notice of ETA and must contact
the pilot station (VHF Channel 12) at least 3 hours in advance of ETA.
Pilotage area limits are bounded by the following:
1. 64°11´5 N 021°57´4 W
The Harbour Office maintains a 24-hour listening watch on Channels
12 and 16. Working frequency is on Channel 12.
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 10,000DWT or 60m in length. However, masters of ship's calling at Reykjavik more than eight times a year may apply for their own pilot's licence.
All vessels carrying hazardous or dangerous cargoes must make use of a pilot, irrespective of length.
Vessels must notify harbour office 24 hours prior to ETA, for pilot 3 hours before ETA, through RT or VHF Ch 12 or 16. Tel: +354 525 8930, Fax: +354 525 8991. Pilot boards at Lightbuoy No 7, (64°11.7'N 021°57.3'W) or in the roads. The distance between the boarding position and the anchorage is 1nm and the distance to the nearest and farthest berth is approx 1-3nm. The authority's tugs act as pilot launches.
Key data
updated May 2021Size limits
Reykjavik: LOA 200m, draught 13.0m
Akranes: LOA 115m, draught 6.0-10.0m
Gruntertangi: Draught 12.0m
Water density
1027.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone I, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.
Tides
Reykjavik:
3.8m springs and 1.7m neaps.
MHWS, 3.99m; MHWN 2.98m; MLWN 1.32m; MLWS 0.22m.
Akranes:
MHWS, 4.0m, MHWN, 3.0m, MLWN, 1.0m, MLWS 0.0m.
Grundartangi:
Range 4.5m. Average spring tide 3.9m, neap tide 1.5m. Tidal streams in the entrance to Hvalfjordur attain a rate of approx 0.75kt at springs, but nearer the head of the fjord the current is weaker and does not exceed a rate of 0.5kt off Hvammshofdi.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamla Hofn Terminal | 13.00 m | 200 m | 11 |
| Sundahofn Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Eimskip Terminal | — | — | 3 |
| Samskip Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Bulk Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Grundartangi Terminal | — | 179 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 May 2021Approach
The harbour approach is unrestricted and ice-free all year round.
It has been reported that approaching from the W at night, the aero lights at Keflavik airfield and Oskjuhlidh are very useful, especially in poor visibility.
Inner directions: Approach with Vifilsfell (64°02.0'N 021°33.0'W) ahead bearing 130° or with Engey Light (yellow square stone tower, 9m in height, Racon) bearing 132°, which lead NE of Akureyjarrif but close to the 12.5m patch 0.85nm NNE of Akurey; the 130° leading line of Engey Light and beacon, leads over the 12.5m patch. When the steeple of the Navigation School bears 158° it should be steered for on that bearing, which leads through the fairway between Akurey and Engey in a least depth of 12.5m. When Orfirisey is abeam, course may be shaped as requisite for the anchorage, passing E of the lightbuoy off the N end of Orfirisey.
At night, keep in a white sector of Engey Light (122.5° to 142°), which leads NE of Akureyjarrif, until within a white sector (154° to 159.5°) of Sjomannaskolinn Light; the latter leads to the anchorage. The W half of this sector leads over the bank ENE of Akurey in depths of 11.0m.
An alternative approach to the anchorage is between Engey and Vidhey. Steer 219° with Kerholakambur in line with the NW extremity of Vidhey bearing 039° astern, which leads in a least depth of 7.3m to the anchorage.
At night, approach in a white sector (187° to 194.5°) of Sjomannaskolinn Light, taking care to avoid the rocks with depths of 6.7m and 10.0m on Vidheyjarflak.
Caution: In the vicinity of the lightbuoy moored 370m N of the NE extremity of Akureyjarrif (64°11.0'N 021°57.0'W) is an area where a W magnetic anomaly occurs, which reaches a maximum of nearly 20°W. This anomaly is not experienced suddenly but increases regularly as the buoy is approached from N or W and decreases regularly as the anchorage off Reykjavik is neared. A magnetic anomaly of about 8°E has been experienced about 2.5nm N of this position.
Port limits
The seaward boundary of the port is a true bearing line 037° from the Grotta Lighthouse, crossing the true bearing line 307° from the estuary of the River Ulfarsa.
Anchorages
Good anchorages in the roads in depths of 11.0-12.0m and for larger vessels at Kollafjoerdur, 2.2nm from Engey Lighthouse.
Anchorage prohibited in the area of the harbour entrance.
Anchorage No 811, 64°12.5'N 021°57.5'W, depth 33-34m.
Anchorage No 821, 64°09.3'N 021°55.03'W, depth 14.0m.
Krossvik (64°18.6'N 022°04.5'W) depth 14.0m. The holding ground is good and the anchorage is well sheltered from winds off the land, from W through N to ESE, but gales from other directions quickly raise a heavy sea and the anchorage then becomes dangerous.
Grundartangi (64°20.7'N 021°41.7'W) depth 17.0m.
Alternative anchorage may be obtained in depths of 14.5-16.5m, excellent holding ground, on the line of the inner approach, or a little W of it, with the S fall of Esja plateau in line with Ytri-Holmur bearing approx 117°, or with the church bearing 335° with a light exhibited from a beacon 9.0m in height, standing on the main jetty, 152m from its root.
Restrictions
Draft in Gamla höfn (Old Harbour) is restricted at MLWS to 8.5 m., oil terminal 13.0 m, in Sundahofn to 8.0m - 12.0m. Max LOA in the Old harbour 170 meters. No other restrictions.
Water depths: At the entrance of the old harbour 7.0m at LW, large vessels preferably berthed at high water. The depth at the quays is 6.0-8.0m at MLWS. The bottom is sand and mud.
In Sundahofn the depth in the approach is 12.0m and the depth at the quays is 8.3m at MLWS.
Tugs
Available throughout 24 hours. Use of tugs is not compulsory, but vessels greater than 15.000 GRT. must have one tug on stand-by. All vessels carrying hazardous cargoes must use a tug for berthing. All
harbour towage is provided by the Port Authority, which owns and operates four boats: Ãjótur - 1 X350 h.p. / 6 tons Bollard Pull ahead, Leynir - 2X475 h.p. / 13 tons Bollard Pull ahead, Jötunn - 2X1.000 h.p./27 tons Bollard Pull ahead and Magni - 2X1,360 h.p./40 tons Bollard Pull ahead.
Tugs meet vessels in the roadstead.
Charts and publications
BA 2733, 2734 and 2735. Admiralty Pilot NP11, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2015ETA and pre-arrival notices
Harbour office to be advised 24 hours and pilots at least 3 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
The harbour office maintains a 24 hour listening watch on Ch 12, 16. Working services on Ch 12, 17.
Email: Pilot Station [email protected], Port Authority [email protected].
Documents
Vessels arriving from countries outside the Schengen area must transmit their Crew Lists to the coastguard at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
Health
Pratique is granted automatically through customs. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Customs officers receive vessels on arrival from abroad. For allowances contact agent. No restrictions on crew and passengers.
Customs allowances: One bottle of spirit, 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of alcoholic beverage, 24 bottles of beer or 2 litres of wine. Customs and Immigration formalities are handled by the County Sheriff in Borgarnes.
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: Icelandic Maritime Administration.
Position: Project Manager, Ship and Port Facility Security.
Address: PO Box 120, Vesturvor 2, IS-202 Kopavogur, Iceland.
Tel: +354 560 0000.
Fax: +354 560 0060.
Mob: +354 893 4793
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sigling.is
Port Security Information:
Person responsible for Port Security: Sigurdur Gretarsson (Head, Harbour Division).
Tel: +354 560 0000.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
Port services
updated May 2021Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by barge.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Reykjavik Health Care Center (0.21km).
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Reykjavik Domestic Airport (3.7km) and Keflavik International Airport (52km).
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs five days a week. Overtime available.
About Reykjavik
updated Jul 2021Where it is
The port of Reykjavik is located on the SW coast of Iceland. Akranes is a commercial and fishing centre located at the W extremity of a belt of grassland surrounding the mountain mass of Akorafjall, approx 10nm NNW of Reykjavik.
The port
The Port of Reykjavík is divided into the Gamla höfn (Old harbour) and Sundahöfn. Gamla höfn (Old Harbour) is mainly used for landing of marine catches, ships repair and small passenger vessels. Sundahöfn is a multi-purpose cargo port and is also used for large passenger vessels. Meanwhile, Grundartangi is a industrial port with port facilities for adjacent ferro-silicon works and aluminium smelter. Akranes is a fishing harbour.
Traffic
Approx 3,200,000t of cargo, 320,000TEU and 1,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Reykjavik
Where does the pilot board at Reykjavik?
The pilot boards at Reykjavik boarding position A, 64°11.5′N 021°57.5′W. Reykjavik has 3 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Reykjavik in?
Local time at Reykjavik is UTC+0. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Reykjavik?
The deepest berth listed is at Gamla Hofn Terminal: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Reykjavik?
1027.
Which load line zone is Reykjavik in?
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone I, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.
Who carries out Port State Control at Reykjavik?
Port State Control at Reykjavik: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Reykjavik?
The UN/LOCODE of Reykjavik is ISREY.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Reykjavik 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.