Riga

1. Riga pilot boarding Pilot boards57°06.5′N 023°56.9′E

Size limits

LOA 311.12m, beam 45m, draught 14.8m, 180,310DWT.

Water density

1002.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 2.0m.

Water levels may rise by up to 1.5m during W winds and may fall by 0.8m during E winds.

The current in Daugava attains a rate of 2kts. In the spring it flows NW across the bar at a rate of up to 3kts but throughout the summer it is very weak. If all the sluice gates of the upstream hydroelectric power station are opened, the river can flow up to 2kts.

In the entrance channel a surface current due to wind, may set SE with W or NW winds at a rate of 0.25kt, or with E winds at a rate of 1kt.

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

Approach

The port is approached through a safety fairway and entered through a buoyed channel on the alignment of leading lights.

Daugavgriva Leading Lights: Front Light (white daymark, red stripe on red framework tower, 15m in height) (57°03.6'N 024°01.3'E). Rear Light (white trapezium, red stripe, on square metal framework tower, 27m in height) (549m from the front light).

From the vicinity of "B" Lightbuoy, moored 3.75nm NW of the front light, within the safety fairway, the alignment of the above lights leads to a channel, marked by numbered lightbuoys (lateral), across the bar to the entrance.

Note: When crossing the bar, care is necessary to keep exactly on the alignment of the leading lights, passing between the lightbuoys moored close on either side of the leading line.

Entry to Main Channel: There are four sets of leading lights to be followed by vessels from Daugavgriva leading line.

Port limits

The port area occupies the lower reaches of Daugava from the river entrance to the town road bridge, about 8nm upstream.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Positioning of floating beacons is under TMS control, any change in their position shall be immediately advised to seafarers.

All information supplied by TMS is only of an advisory nature, it is kept intact until eliminated afterwards, if no claims arise within 72 hours.

Anchorages

Refer to Sea buoys, fairways and channels section.

Anchorage can be obtained in Riga roads at a distance of 4nm off the Daugavgriva Lighthouse, bearing 310°, westward of Lightbuoy "V". Depths in the anchorage are 22-35m and the bottom is mud and sand.

Anchorages are not sheltered against winds from the NNW. With rising wind and swell, Masters should be ready to proceed to open waters in the Gulf of Riga.

Restrictions

The above airdraught restrictions are calculated basis 4m clearance between vessels masthead and high voltage line. Permission for 2m clearance could be obtained provided voltage is switched off while vessel is passing the high voltage line.

The navigation period of the port depends almost entirely on when Irbenskiy Strait becomes icebound. During this period the port will only accept vessels with an appropriate ice classification. Navigation is maintained with the aid of icebreakers for as long as possible.

Tugs

The number of tugs necessary shall be determined by her master with pilot's advice. Disputes in this respect shall be resolved by the harbour master.

The master of a vessel under tow shall command the tugs and bear liability for their safety. In case of an accident, it is the master of this vessel who is responsible for eventual consequences, unless liability of the tugs is proven.

Towage of an unmanned vessel shall be under command of the master whose tow is fastened at the vessel's bow.

Any towing rope used within the port may not exceed 70m.

Tug assistance is compulsory upon mooring a vessel which is not equipped with thrusters or special means (double bottom or other) against spillage of oil products or other dangerous cargo, at a gas terminal or tanker berth.

If NW wind speed is 14kts or over, all vessels must use at least 2 tugs for mooring at the Gas Terminal or mooring/unmooring at Berth No SD-5.

There are tugs of 300, 600, 1,200, 2,400 and 3,000hp available.

A Master may cancel his order for tugs, which is free of charge if cancelled latest 1 hour before the ordered time.

Mooring

The mooring position should be notified in advance by the berth operator. The number and location of the mooring ropes should be determined by the master in consultation with the pilot.

Vessels over 5,000DWT should not pass more than two lines to each bollard ashore. Two vessels may be berthed alongside each other if both masters agree, subject to the harbour master's permission and the current is under 1kt.

While berthed, all vessels should have a watch onboard, secure communication with the Port Control, signalling aids ready for use and always properly moored alongside the quay with gangway lit and rigged with a safety net below and a lifebuoy with a 30m long line nearby.

It is prohibited to moor at two adjacent berths simultaneously. It is also prohibited to berth alongside another vessel if the other vessel has undergone fumigation or if there is a cargo of IMDG Class, I, II, III, IV or VII or vapours thereof onboard. Vessels with such cargo must be permanently ready for sailing out to sea.

Mooring or anchorage equipment out of working order should be reported to the Port Control before moving. Pilot supervision is necessary for berthing over a distance of 100m. Vessels during their stay should not lower boats except with harbour master's permission.

The lay up or repair of a vessel should be agreed with the harbour master and fire station. The off side of such a vessel must be lit at night.

Charts and publications

BA 2215, 2859, 2972, 2973, 8023, Admiralty Pilot NP19, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

If there is dangerous cargo (IMDG Class I, II, VI, VII) onboard, the fact must be specially reported.

Under ice conditions, 24 hours prior to arrival with an icebreaker, the harbour master must be further advised of ETA at the rendezvous, full style, address and bank references of the owner, vessel's name and callsign, tonnage, type and power of main engines, LOA, breadth, draught fore and aft, ice class, technical features which may affect behaviour in ice and sailing restrictions, material of propeller/s, volume and nature of cargo onboard, quantity and consumption rate of the ship stores and bunkers.

Any vessel's arrival, departure or shifting must be advised to PCS 4 hours in advance and further updated with 1 hours notice.

If for some reason a master fails to comply with the above he is obliged to contact PCS and/or TMS as soon as possible on VHF Ch 09.

Upon arrival in the outer roads, ships masters and barge skippers must inform the harbour master or his representative of any unusual circumstances of any kind or accidents encountered, such as collision or engine failure, cases of infectious disease among the crew or animals onboard, mortality among rodents, or damage endured during the voyage, either concealed or visible.

Communications

Port radio (callsign "Riga Traffic") operates on frequencies 500, 489 and 468kHz.

VHF: Pilots: Ch 16, 12, 09, 67. Tel: +371 670 82032. Fax: +371 673 23117. Email: [email protected]

Riga Traffic: Ch 16, 09, 14, Tel: +371 670 82000, Email: [email protected]

Radar Control: Ch 78.

Ice-breaking service: Ch 16, 13

Notice of readiness

In accordance with Charter Party terms.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Any vessel arriving from or sailing to a foreign port must undergo customs control.

No cargo operations on the outer or inner roads or alongside any berth should commence and no crew may step ashore prior to completion of customs formalities and clearance obtained.

It is prohibited to move any cargo to be exported or imported, likewise any goods or other things to be transported from one customs zone to another, in, out or within the port limits, unless written permission is obtained from customs. The customs department of the State Income Agency of the Republic of Latvia shall determine the range of customs control.

Immigration: Upon entering, leaving or being within the port limits all vessels are to observe the regulations set up by Immigration Authority in agreement with port administration.

Each vessel must have Crew and Passenger Lists onboard, each person onboard must hold their Seamen's Book or Passport.

Crew members of foreign vessels without Seamen's Books or visas in their Passports or without Free Pratique Certificate obtained shall not be allowed ashore.

Flags

In compliance with internationally adopted standards.

Notices and regulations

Ice-breaking Service: Vessels bound or departing from the port should report at least 24 hours before the vessel passes the meridian of the Irbe Strait Light entering the port or 24 hours before leaving the port.

The report should be sent to the harbour master and the Captain of the ice-breaker "Varma" direct or through the agent stating the following information.

Effective from 01st September 2016, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will require 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].

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: Ship and Port Security Inspectorate, Maritime Administration of Latvia.

Address: Trijadibas Str 5, Riga LV-1048, Latvia.

Tel: +371 706 2129.

Fax: +371 786 0082.

Mob: +371 659 6792

Website: http://www.maritimeadministration.lv

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

Repairs

All types of repairs can be carried out.

Dry docks

Six floating docks and two slipways are available. Riga Shipyard comprises of riverside basin berths and floating docks.

Largest floating dock: Length 225.7m, beam 45m, lifting capacity 30,000t.

Largest vessel size: LOA 215m, beam 28m, draught 8.0m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available, usually on the oil jetties, but can also be delivered at the berth by lighter.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Modern hospital facilities in the town.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Riga (8km).

Nearest railway: Intra-port railway, also main station in Riga town (4km). There is a ferry service, available between Riga and the Swedish capital Stockholm. The journey will take approximately 9 hours with a departure from Riga every second day.

Working hours

Around the clock including holidays.

Where it is

The Baltic Sea port of Riga is situated at the mouth of the Daugava River.

The port

Riga is a large manufacturing and commercial centre with a large number of varied factories and works, having a total berth length of 13,818m. Well equipped to handle vessels and cargoes of almost all types, including coal, container, timber, oil, Ro-Ro and cruise vessels. The port now handles LNG-powered container vessels. A large amount of the cargo handled is in transit to and from the CIS. Principal exports include coal, grain, foodstuffs, cotton, metals, ores and timber. Imports include fish, fruit, sugar, foodstuffs, metals, machinery and chemicals.

The port is open all year round, though ice breaker assistance is usually required for about 1-4 months in winter.

Considerable changes in water level may be caused by prevailing winds, depending on force, direction and period of time they blow.

Traffic

Approx 17,000,000t of cargo (including 820,000t of Iron Ore, 3,600,000t of Grain,1,100,000t of coal), 500,000TEU, 2,500 vessels and 120,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Riga?

The pilot boards at Riga pilot boarding, 57°06.5′N 023°56.9′E.

What time zone is Riga in?

Local time at Riga 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 Riga?

The deepest berth listed is at Riga Coal Terminal: 14.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Riga?

1002.

Which load line zone is Riga in?

Summer Zone for vessels over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of 100m or less in length.

Who carries out Port State Control at Riga?

Port State Control at Riga: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Riga?

The UN/LOCODE of Riga is LVRIX.

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