PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Uddevalla
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is compulsory for the following:
South Channel: Dry Cargo Vessels over LOA 90m or 16m beam and tankers over LOA 80m or 15m beam.
North Channel: All vessels over LOA 70m, beam 14, or draught 4.5m.
Pilots are stationed at Marstrand for S approach, where a constant watch is kept. They board vessels from a fast, orange coloured launch 1.25nm WSW of Hatteberget Light Tower.
Vessels bound for Uddevalla, Stenungsund, or Wallhamn by the N channel can obtain pilots from Lysekil.
A vessel leaving Uddevalla can obtain a pilot from the town at any time.
Pilot should be ordered 5 hours in advance, if less there will be an extra charge.
Key data
updated Oct 2026Size limits
LOA 212.50m, Beam 32.26m, Draught 10.90m, 63,800DWT. Max airdraught 43m in the fairway.
Water density
1015.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 0.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Froland | 10.90 m | 180 m | 4 |
| Skeppsholmspiren | 10.60 m | 186 m | 6 |
| Sorvik | 10.40 m | 213 m | 11 |
| Bado | 7.90 m | 180 m | 6 |
| Mobil Oil Terminal | 6.90 m | 100 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 Jul 2019Approach
Two channels, for which local knowledge is necessary, lead from seaward to Uddevalla. The N channel between the NW side of Orust and the mainland or from Ellosefjorden and then through Malo Strommar. The S channel entered S of Pater Nosterskaren, separates the E sides of Tjorn and Orust from the mainland.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Malo Strommar ferry: Vessels should also report to the ferry on VHF Ch 12, 30 minutes before anticipated passage or at the latest, on reaching reporting point No 9 (inward bound) or No 8 (outward bound).
Information service: The centres provide vessels, on request, with information on other traffic in the area and with other navigational information including details of ice conditions.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained, a bay which lies in the SE of Byfjorden, in a depth of 40m, within the outside of Gustavsbergsbukten.
Prohibited anchorages: There are numerous submarine cables and pipelines in the approaches to Uddevalla. The shore ends of some cables are marked by notice boards, surmounted by white triangles with red borders.
Restrictions
Night time berthing max LOA 200m.
Tugs
Available. 5,000hp and greater.
Charts and publications
BA 869. Admiralty Pilot NP56, NP286(2).
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.
Port services
updated Jul 2019Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: All grades available by road tanker.
Medical
Uddevalla Hospital, 3km.
Transport
Nearest international airport: Landvetter, 120km.
Nearest domestic airport: Trollhattan, 30km.
Nearest railway: Uddevalla Central, 1km.
Working hours
Mon-Fri 0700-1600hrs, night shift 1600-0001hrs, overtime 1600-2000hrs. Work during Sat-Sun and holidays can be arranged.
About Uddevalla
updated Jul 2019Where it is
Uddevalla is a W coast Swedish port located on the Skagerrak.
The port
The port handles general cargo, container, Ro-Ro, passengers, dry bulk and liquid cargo.
Remains free of ice through the winter.
Traffic
Approx 1,130,000t of cargo and 400 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Uddevalla
What are the pilot arrangements at Uddevalla?
Pilotage is compulsory for the following: South Channel: Dry Cargo Vessels over LOA 90m or 16m beam and tankers over LOA 80m or 15m beam.
What time zone is Uddevalla in?
Local time at Uddevalla is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Uddevalla?
The deepest berth listed is at Froland: 10.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Uddevalla?
1015.
Which load line zone is Uddevalla in?
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Uddevalla?
Port State Control at Uddevalla: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Uddevalla?
The UN/LOCODE of Uddevalla is SEUDD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Uddevalla 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.