PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Trollhatte Canal
Pilot
updated May 2010A pilot is required for all vessels of more than 60m in length, draught 4.2m, or 800DWT. Requests for pilots for Lake Vanern or the canal are made to the Traffic Control Office in Trollhattan.
Vessels carrying dangerous goods either on Lake Vanern or in the canal, irrespective of size, must have a pilot. Permission to sail without a pilot can be granted in certain circumstances.
Key data
updated Nov 2023Size limits
Max LOA 89m, beam 13.2m and draught 5.4m.
Note: The aforementioned max dimension for transit through the Trollhatte Canal are only given through a special permit issued by the local administration. Request for special permit shall be sent by e-mail to: [email protected].
General max LOA 87m, beam 12.6m and draught 4.7m.
Note: The aforementioned dimensions are the general max dimension for transit through the Trollhatte Canal.
Max Barge and Towage: LOA 35m, beam 3m and draught 3m. (Total length from stern of towing vessel to end of towage: 60.0m).
Max. airdraught (waterline to masthead height): 27.0m.
Water density
1000.
Tides
None. The flow of water through the canal can reach 2.5kts.
Approach
updated Sep 2020Anchorages
Available in the S part of the port area.
Restrictions
From Gothenburg the Trollhatte Canal leads to Lake Vanern, it is 46nm in length with six locks of length 90m, width 13.4m and minimum depth 5.6m. Max speed in the canal is 10kts, where no speed limit is indicated.
Trolhatte Canal: Max vessel size allow: LOA 87m, beam 12.6m, draught 4.7m, airdraught 27m. With special permission a vessel exceeding max vessel size dimensions as mentioned may be accepted.
Tugs
There are 2 ice breaking tugs available.
Mooring
Tugs are required for assistance. Boatmen are needed.
Charts and publications
SW 131, 132. Admiralty Pilot NP19, NP286(2).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2023Notices and regulations
No vessel or barge is able to transit the canal if they have an air draught exceeding 27m.
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
Designated Authority: Swedish Maritime Administration/Swedish Maritime Safety Inspectorate.
Address: SE-601 78, Norrkoping, Sweden.
Tel: +46 11 191000
Fax: +46 11 101949
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
About Trollhatte Canal
updated Nov 2023Where it is
Trollhatte Canal connects the Gota River to Lake Vanern between Gothenburg and Vanersborg.
The port
The canal, operated by the Swedish Maritime Administration, is 82km long (10km of which are man-made), the remainder being a natural waterway - The Gota Alv River. The difference in level between Lake Vanern and the sea is 44.0m. This change is catered for by six locks: one in Lilla Edet of 6.0m, four at Trollhattan of 32.0m (total) and one at Krinkebergskulle of 6.0m. Double bottoms in the locks ensure an even distribution of the water. This makes for gentle water movement, during both filling and draining with 8,000 - 12,000m³ of water required for each lock operation. Minimum water depth in the main canal is 6.3m and the threshold depth of the locks is 5.7m MLLW. The locks in which vessels pass through are equipped with electrical/mechanical doors and gates. The water distributes evenly throughout the locks due to the double bottoms and means that water is calm during both filling and emptying. The canal is an important route for merchant vessels and as a result they are able to navigate the canal 24hrs a day throughout the year.
Discussions are taking place in order to ensure the future shipping on lake Vanern by building new navigational locks in Lilla Edet, Trolhattan and Vanersborg. The plan is that between 2026-2032 new modern locks will be built throughout Trollhatte Canal.
The following port areas are on the Trollhatte Canal: Agnesberg, Surte, Nol, Lodose and Vanersborg (see separate port entries).
Traffic
Approx. 3,500,000t of cargo and 1,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Trollhatte Canal
What are the pilot arrangements at Trollhatte Canal?
A pilot is required for all vessels of more than 60m in length, draught 4.2m, or 800DWT.
What time zone is Trollhatte Canal in?
Local time at Trollhatte Canal is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the water density at Trollhatte Canal?
1000.
Who carries out Port State Control at Trollhatte Canal?
Port State Control at Trollhatte Canal: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Trollhatte Canal?
The UN/LOCODE of Trollhatte Canal is SETHN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Trollhatte Canal 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.
Plan a route to Trollhatte Canal →
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.