Vaasa

Size limits

Max LOA 200m, beam 35m, draught 9.0m.

Water density

1002.

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

No tide but water levels may vary between plus 1.1m and minus 0.6m, depending on the weather conditions.

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

Approach

Two fairways enter the port. They join S of Vassa Lighthouse. The entrance channel to the port is approx 24nm, the fairways permit a draught of 9.0m. The northern fairway is located to the N of Norrskar. The fairway is lit for its complete length.

The approach to the oil berth, on the S side of the harbour, is marked by the white sector (109°-113°) of Jussi Light.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Bothnia VTS covers the coast along the Bay of Bothnia from Ritgrund Light to Tornio including the merchant shipping lanes, with the exception of the areas administrated by the ports.

Anchorages

Anchorage should be obtained on the advice of pilot.

Restrictions

The Finnish Board of Navigation strongly recommend that all shipping bound for Vaasa from the NW should use the recommended 9.0m approach, passing N of Norrskar.

Tankers: At night, tankers carrying more than 4,000t of oil are prohibited in the channel between Nygrund (62°07.6'N 021°20.2'E) and Vaasa.

UKC: Minimum under keel clearance in the harbour and alongside berths is 0.9m.

Speed: A speed limit of 10kts is in force for the channel between Nygrund and Vaasa. A speed limit of 8.0kts in this channel is recommended for vessels with a draught exceeding 8.0m.

Tugs

"Herkules", 1,020hp (harbour tug, privately owned), available.

Mooring

After mooring, the vessel must place sufficiently strong wires from fore and aft of the vessel.

The emergency towing wires shall be kept above the water level during the entire time, and they shall be fastened to the bollards of the vessel so that they allow a towing length of 40m.

Charts and publications

BA 2612. Finnish No 5, 907, 48. US Publications 195. Admiralty Pilot NP20, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

To be advised 24 and 6 hours prior to arrival. In addition to date and time of arrival the message should include the vessel's name, length and draught.

Dangerous cargoes should be notified to the Port Authority 24 hours in advance. Such information should include the correct technical name of the goods, IMDG Class, UN Number, amount of cargo and types of packages.

In addition, and advanced enquiry 7 days before is required for IMDG goods class 1, 4, 6, 2 and 7 and when large quantities of any dangerous goods have to be transported.

Communications

Helsinki Radio, 2803kHz.

VHF: Ch 16; 12, 13, (Ch 12 port working channel).

Pilots: Finnpilot Order Centre: Western Pilotage Zone: Tel: +358 400 907979. Fax: +358 29 525312. Email: [email protected].

Bothnia VTS: Ch 67. Tel: +358 204 487346. Email: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

NOR is to be tendered on arrival in accordance with the Charter Party. Working hours are normally 0800-1600hrs.

Health

Pratique should be applied for if there is contagious disease onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

Ship Sanitation Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: For a crew member's own use there is an allowance of 1 carton of cigarettes and 1-2 bottles of spirits. Penalty for exceeding the allowance depends on the quantity the allowance was exceeded by.

Immigration: If a vessel is carrying passengers, the ship's agent is to be advised in advance for an Immigration check. There are no restrictions for crew members.

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: Finnish Maritime Administration, Maritime Safety Department.

Position: Senior Maritime Inspector.

Address: PO Box 171, Porkkalankatu 5, FIN-00181 Helsinki, Finland.

Tel: +358 2 0448 4437.

Fax: +358 2 0448 4500.

Mob: +358 4 0515 5408.

Website: http://www.fma.fi

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

Repairs

Available.

Dry docks

None available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available. Should notify traffic planning at least 2 hours before by phone +358 40 56702975 or e-mail [email protected].

Bunkering: Most grades of oil available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Vaasa Central Hospital, 3.8km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Vaasa Airport, 13.7km.

Nearest railway: Vaasa railway station, 3.9km.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1600hrs.

Where it is

Vaasa is located on the W coast of Finland, along the Blue Route running through Scandinavia.

The port

The port of Vaasa is called "Ostrobothnia's Gateway to the West", its wide ranging and rapid connections serve not only coastal Finland but also more distant ports. By volume and scope of services offered, Vaasa port is the centre of passenger and freight transport on the Ostrobothnian coast. In addition to the port's speedy car ferry service, transport is further facilitated by excellent connections by road, rail and air.

The port handles mostly import and export of oil, agricultural products, general cargo, cement and project transports.

Two power stations are located in the port area, and coal is imported at the coal harbour for use as fuel. Ferry services operate between Vaasa and Umea (Sweden) up to twice daily. The port operates a free zone providing import/export trade concessions.

At the beginning of 2015, Kvarken Ports combined the ports of Vaasa and Umea (in Sweden) (see separate entry) as a single joint venture.

Traffic

Approx 1,600,000t of cargo, 700 vessels and 185,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Vaasa?

Compulsory and available throughout 24 hours.

What time zone is Vaasa in?

Local time at Vaasa 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 Vaasa?

The deepest berth listed is at Lasse's Quay: 9.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Vaasa?

1002.

Which load line zone is Vaasa 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 Vaasa?

Port State Control at Vaasa: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Vaasa?

The UN/LOCODE of Vaasa is FIVAA.

What crews who called at Vaasa 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.

Read and add tips for Vaasa →