Tallinn

1. Miiduranna (Tallinn Bay) pilot boarding, S position Pilot boards59°29.4′N 024°33.0′E

Size limits

LOA 340m, beam 50m, draught 17.1m, 166,164DWT.

Water density

1003.

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

Tidal variation 0.8m. The tidal variation is slight and due solely to the effects of the prevailing winds, which may differ from datum by +100/-80cm.

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

Approach

The depth of water in Tallinn Bay ranges from 14-80m. The port approach is marked by leading lights and beacons. Vessels may enter the harbour of City Port through either the Northern or Southern Gates, max draught 8.6m-10.7m and 7.0m respectively.

Vessels approach Tallinn from the N or W within a Traffic Separation Scheme.

Approach from N: From the main fairway through the Gulf of Finland, approach the Traffic Separation Scheme between Tallinn and Uusmadal shoals. The S bound traffic lane turns SSE after 5nm, adjacent to No 1 Lightbuoy (safe water) (59°37.0'N 024°40.0'E) along Tallinn Fairway 159.1°.

Tallinn Leading Lights: (59°26.0'N 024°48.0'E), situated at the head of the bay, close E of the city, in line bearing 159°, indicate the separation line between traffic lanes which lead through Tallinna Laht.

Note: Navigation is prohibited along the Tallinn leading line between the parallels of 59°36.9'N and 59°29.1'N.

The rear light is exhibited 1nm inland from a white round stone tower with a black top, 40m in height and the front from a red conical tower on a low stone building, 18m in height, 0.6nm NNW.

At night, keep in the white sector of Tallinn front light, observing the traffic separation scheme described above. The separation line is marked by No 2 and No 3 Lightbuoys (safe water), moored adjacent to the junctions of the traffic lanes passing SE of Naissaar.

Approach from W: From the main fairway through the Gulf of Finland, approach the Traffic Separation Scheme 1.5nm NNW of Ninamaa, passing close S of a lightbuoy (safe water) (59°30.0'N 024°20.0'E) which marks the W limit of the scheme. The traffic lane continues E for 6.5nm. Passing close S of a lightbuoy (safe water) moored 2.5nm NNW of Kakumae Neem, the lane leads 083.6° with No 3 Lightbuoy ahead, at night on the alignment of Viimsi Leading Lights to intersection of Tallinn fairway 159.1°.

Caution: The traffic lane passes close S of Vahemadal Light Beacon, with part of the shoal lying within the lane and the buoy marking Riff Paljassaar with part of that shoal also lying within the lane.

The traffic lane then joins with the lane for vessels approaching from the N (above) adjacent to No 3 Lightbuoy.

Departure to W: Vessels intending to pass S of Naissaar leave the NNW bound traffic lane adjacent to No 2 Lightbuoy, altering course WSW toward the lightbuoy off Kakumae Neem (above), at night on the alignment of Suurupi Leading Lights, Front (59°28.3'N 024°25.1'E) and Rear at Suurupi Light, in line 246.5°.

Caution: Leontjevimadalik Rock and marking buoy lies within the traffic lane;

Passing close N of the lightbuoy off Kakumae Neem, the traffic lane continues W to the end of the scheme.

Tallinn Vana Sadam: The N entrance to the old harbour has a light (red column), 4.0m in height.

At the S entrance, lights are also exhibited on each side; on the N side from a red square pyramidal tower, 3.0m in height; and on the S side from a red column, 2.0m in height.

Vana Sadam is divided into an outer harbour and Basins 1, 2 and 3; an inner basin, known as Admiralty Basin, is entered from the head of Basin 2.

Generally, there are depths of 7.0-10.8m throughout the harbour, with lesser depths alongside some of the moles.

Tallinn Uus Sadam: Lights are exhibited on the E side of the E entrance to the new harbour from a red tower, 3.0m in height. Lights are also exhibited on either side of the W entrance, on the E side from a white truncated pyramid, 4.0m in height, and on the W side from a red mast, 5.0m in height.

Approach to Kopli Bay: The track leads into the centre of the bay between Kakumac nina and Kopli nina and is marked by buoys. It passes SW of Vene-Balti shipyard and Bekkeri Port to a position 1.25nm S of Kopli nina where leading lights lead into Meeruse Harbour.

Muuga Harbour:

The main approach channel for Muuga sadam is from N, from a position NE of Kerri saar (59°42.0'N 025°02.0'E). Then the track leads either E or W of Aski, to approach the port from NE.

Alternative tracks from the W and NW lead from the Aegna TSS to the approaches to Tallinn is not IMO-adopted, but the Estonian authorities advise that the principles of Rule 10 of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) apply.

Approach E of Aksi Saar;

From a position at the entrance to the Muuga Approach Fairway, 7nm NE of Keri Saar (59°35.7'N 025°01.5'E), the track leads S to the alignment (181°) of leading beacons, then through the outer approaches to Muuga, passing E of Keri Saar (7.5nm NNW), a low rocky islet on the SE end on which stands a lighthouse (dark red round tower on stone base, 31m. Then:

E of Akeri Saar, which is fairly high and sparsely wooded. A light beacon (3 vertical white triangles on black round tower), 15m stands at the SE end. The island is elongated NNW, where a ledge extends 0.6nm, its extremity being marked by a lightbuoy (E cardinal). A mooring buoy is situated 0.6nm S of the light beacon. Then:

W of Rammu Saare, whose extremity is marked by a lightbuoy (W cardinal).

Approach W of Aksi Saar:

From a position 2nm E of Keri Saar, at the SW point foul ground extends 0.7nm and is marked by a light buoy (S cardinal). Then:

W of Aksi Saar (1.75nm SE), where the track continues S to the alignment of the Entrance Leading Lights.

Approach from NW:

From a position 3.5nm S of Tallinn Light, the recommended track leads towards the Entrance Leading Lights which lead into the harbour entrance, passing SE of karbi Madal and NW of Tahkumae Neem.

Port limits

Muuga Harbour: The port limits fo Muuga extend WNW from Tahkumae Neem (59°30.3N 025°00.4'E) for 1.5nm, then SW for 0.6nm to the NW elbow of W basin mole.

Anchorages

Anchorage in Tallinn Bay in depths of up to 37m. Anchoring position to be advised by "Tallinn Traffic Control", VHF Ch 13.

Outer anchorages:

Area G: 1nm SW of Suurupi Lightbuoy No 3 (59°30.0'N 024°32.6'E) with a depth of 30-37m, clay and mud, close S of the W approach.

Area H: 1.8nm SW of Hulkari ots Light (59°32.0'N 024°34.0'E) in depths of 34-37m.

Area F: 1nm E of Naissaare sadam (59°33.4'N 024°33.2'E) with depths of 17.0-33m, mud and sand.

Area E: 1.8nm NNE of Kakumae nina (59°27.7'N 024°34.4'E) with depths of from 31-37m, sand. This anchorage is for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.

Area D: 1.5nm ESE of Kakumae nina with depths of from 19.0-26.0m, mud and sand.

Anchorages in inner approach:

Area A: 1.3nm NW of Pirita (59°28.0'N 024°49.0'E).

Area B: 1nm NW of Vanasadam.

Area C: 0.8nm N of Katariina kai, for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.

The bottom in the deeper parts of the anchorages in the inner approaches is 15-30m, soft mud. Closer in, off the E shore, it is sand, and in places, rock; off the W shore, it is mud, sand and stones.

Prohibited anchorage: An area in which anchoring is prohibited extends across Suurupi TSS in the W approaches to Tallinn, and further extends SE into Kakumae lath.

Muuga Harbour:

Anchorage may be obtained in the following areas:

Area I, situated E of Agena saar, centred on position 59°35.0'N 024°49.5'E, with depths of 26.0-60.0m, sand, gravel and mud.

Area J, situated S of Karbimadal, centred on position 59°32.0'N 024°58.5'E, with depths of 26.0-45.0m, sand and mud.

Area K, 1.5nm SSW of Prangli SE Light 59°36.9'N 025°02.2'E, in depths from 20.0-60.0m, sand, is designated for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.

Area L, situated ESE of Karbimadal, centred on position 59°32.5'N 025°03.0'E, with depths of 45.0-60.0m, mud.

Area M, situated 1.3nm NE of Zernovoy Grain Pier (59°29.9'N 024°57.8'E), and lying on the E side of the entrance leading line, with depths of 13.0-35.0m, sand and clay.

Area N, 2nm SW of Ihasaluneem (59°32.5'N 025°08.7'E), in depths from 19.0-38m, sand and clay, provides shelter from winds between ENE and S.

Prohibited anchorage: S of the parallel of 59°35.0'N, anchoring is prohibited within 0.5nm of a submarine power cable laid W of Karbimadal (59°33.0'N 024°58.0'E).

Anchoring is prohibited within 0.5nm of a submarine power cable laid between Ihasaluneem, Aksi and Prangli.

Restrictions

Max draught of vessels proceeding to Muuga must not exceed 16.8m in the approach channel.

Vessel speed in the approach channels is restricted to 10kts.

Tugs

Available, subject to pilots advice. PKL contact VHF Ch 30, callsign "Tallinn Radio 6", Vaggen Ch 11, callsign "Montu". Vessels must request tugs at least 45 minutes in advance of ETA, either by agent or port operator. Departure should be requested 2 hours before ETD.

Vessels of LOA 100-150m may be hauled along the quay without a tug up to 50m, hauling over 50m shall be performed with the help of a tug. Shifting a vessel in the port or hauling along the quay over 100m takes place with a pilot onboard. Vessels of LOA 150-180m shall be hauled along the quay only with the help of tugs, longer than LOA 180m are not hauled, shifting of such vessels will be with the consent of the Harbour Master.

Charts and publications

BA 2227, 2241, 2225, 2248. Sov 1149, Estonian No 507. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should request permission to enter or depart via VHF from the relevant harbour master's office. Permission is valid for 15 minutes.

Vessels leaving the port should confirm departure at least 4 hours in advance.

Vessels heading for Bekkeri should notify their ETA to the harbour master 10 days, 96, 24 and 4 hours prior to arrival.

Permission must be obtained from the harbour master before arrival on VHF Ch 06. This permission is valid or 15 minutes.

Communications

VHF: Port Authority: Ch 14.

Tallinn Pilots: Ch 13. Tel: +372 605 3888, Fax: +372 605 3881, Email: [email protected].

Tallinn VTS: Ch 13. Tel: +372 620 5766. Email: [email protected].

Vene Balti: Port Control, Ch 06. Pilots: Ch 72.

Bekkeri: Port Control, Ch 06, 10. Pilots: Callsign: Keskus, Ch 13, 16, 67. Tel: +372 623 7790.

Muuga Harbour: Harbour Masters Office: Ch 67 "Muuga Radio 5", Tel: +372 631 9521, Fax: +372 631 9144, Email: [email protected].

Muuga Pilots: VHF: Port Control: Ch 87. Tel: +372 631 9532. 24 hours..

Ch 13, 16, 72. Tel: +372 631 9621, Fax: +372 631 9120.

Vessel Traffic Service: Tallinn VTS: Ch 13. Tel: +372 620 5766, Email: [email protected].

Container Terminal: Tel: +372 6319593, Fax: +372 631 9696, Email: [email protected].

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates renewed.

Customs and immigration

Vessels entering and leaving the port must report to border guard station. Nobody shall board or leave the vessel without the permission of the border guard. Vessel having passed border and customs control for the departure from the port shall immediately leave the port.

Notices and regulations

Contact Harbour Master for Regulations.

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: Estonian Maritime Administration, Port Supervision Department.

Position: Head of Department.

Address: Lume 9, 10416 Tallinn, Estonia.

Tel: +372 620 5730.

Fax: +372 620 5706.

Mob: +372 504 3857.

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Extensive repair facilities available at Kopli Bay.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: Bunkering by barges at any quay.

Stores: Provisions and ships stores can be obtained.

Medical

Several in the town.

Transport

Nearest airport: Tallinn 7km.

Airport facilities: International flights to Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Helsinki, Kiev, London Gatwick, Paris, Moscow, Riga, Stockholm, Vilnius.

Nearest railway: Intraport railway system and main station, Tallinn, 3km.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1645hrs, overtime is available.

The loading and discharging of vessels is undertaken throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia is situated on the S coast of the Finnish Gulf in the Baltic Sea.

The port

The Tallinn Port Authority is responsible for the following five constituent harbours, Vanasadam (Old City Harbour), Palijassaare Harbour (located 6km W of Old harbour in Tallinn Bay), Paldiski South Harbour (located 50km W of the city), Muuga Harbour (located 17km E of the city) and Saaremaa (located 135nm SW of Tallinn).

Paljassaare, Paldiski, Muuga and Saaremaa are shown as separate entries.

Vanasadam, the Old City Harbour is the main commercial harbour, the most easterly of the harbours in the S part of the bay, consisting of 4 basins and a pier extending NW of the harbour, with berths for tankers, Ro-Ro, container and passenger vessels. It has 25 berths, including 4 passenger terminals, the total length of the quays is 4,074m, with a max depth at berths of 10.7m.

The following ports are in Kopli Bay:

Vene-Balti Port (59°27.40'N 024°39.38'E), is a private port owned by BLRT Grupp, located on the Kopli peninsular.

The port is practically ice free with depths up to 18.5m. The bay is frozen over in severe winters only and is kept open all year round with ice breakers. The main commodities handled are grain, coal, oil products, metal, timber, cement, general cargo, cars and passengers.

Bekkeri (Peetri) Port (59°27.16'N 024°39.78'E), situated immediately S of Vene-Balti Port.

Traffic

Approx 14,000,000 of cargo, 259,000TEU, 7,000 vessels and 7,000,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Tallinn?

The pilot boards at Miiduranna (Tallinn Bay) pilot boarding, S position, 59°29.4′N 024°33.0′E.

What time zone is Tallinn in?

Local time at Tallinn 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 Tallinn?

The deepest berth listed is at Muuga Industrial Area (Liquid Bulk): 17.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Tallinn?

1003.

Which load line zone is Tallinn 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 Tallinn?

Port State Control at Tallinn: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Tallinn?

The UN/LOCODE of Tallinn is EETLL.

What crews who called at Tallinn 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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