PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Vanersborg
Pilot
updated Aug 2023- Pilot boarding place Pilot boards58°23.6′N 012°19.1′E
Vanersborg pilotage is situated under the Pilot Area Vanern which includes the lake areas of Vanern and Gota alv with Trollhatte canal and Byalven with Saffle canal.
Pilotage is available throughout 24hrs and must be ordered no later than 24hrs before boarding and then again 5hrs before boarding. Ordering of a pilot must be done through the Swedish Maritime Single Window (MSW Reportal).
Pilotage is compulsory for:
Gota Alv (Tangudden to Vanersborg):
Vessels in pilot duty 2 with LOA 60m, width 9m, draught 4m or more.
Vessels in pilot duty 3 with LOA 60m, width 9m, draught 4m or more.
Vanern (Vanersborg to all ports)
Vessels in pilot duty 2 with LOA 70m.
Vessels in pilot duty 3 with LOA 70m.
Key data
updated Aug 2023Size limits
Max LOA 89m, beam 13.35m, draught 5.4m and 5,790DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Nil.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Cargo Terminal | 5.40 m | 89 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 Aug 2023Approach
The fairway from Gothenberg is approx 50nm and the drop height between Vanern and the west coast in 44m. There are 6 locks, drop heights range between 6m and 8m, which cater for the height difference.
Lilla Edet lock has a height difference of 6m.
Brinkebergskulle lock has a height difference of 6m.
Four locks at Trollhattan have a total difference of 32m.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Sea traffic operates throughout 24hrs all year round. Max speed along the Trollhatte Canal is 10knts.
Restrictions
A railway bascule bridge (58° 22.727'N., 12° 18.546'E.) sits at the S end of the Main Quay whilst the Dalbobron Bascule Bridge (58° 22.950'N., 12° 18.665'E) sits at the N end of the Main Quay with a clearance of 16m.
The railway bascule bridge is currently out of service (24/03/2023) for trains, due to structural damage, however it is still operational and able to open for vessels traversing to and from Vanersborg.
Any errors in marking, extinguished lights, drifting objects or anything that may be dangerous for shipping must be reported to the Maritime Administration.
Contact info:
Telephone +45(0)20 33 11 66 (available throughout 24hrs)
VHF: MSI SWEDEN or Stockholm Radio.
Tugs
Tugs in the Trollhatte Canal:
Pilot duty applies when towing and is compulsory for vessels where the length from he bow of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel exceeds 60m in length. It is also compulsory when the object being towed has an LOA > 35m, width 9m or draught 3m.
Vanerhamn provides four icebreaker tugs that are positioned throughout Lake Vanern and are available during winter months only.
Charts and publications
SW 137, 135. Admiralty Pilot NP18.
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2023Communications
Vanersborg contact info:
Telephone: +46 510 54 50 00 or +46 510 54 50 17.
E-mail: [email protected]
Maritime Administration.
Contact info:
Telephone +45 (0) 20 33 11 66 (available throughout 24hrs)
VHF: MSI SWEDEN or Stockholm Radio.
Swedish Icebreaking Management OPC contact info:
Telephone: Phone: +46 (0) 10 478 55 70
E-mail: [email protected]
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 Aug 2023Medical
Nearest hospital: Bup-mottagningen Vänersborg (0.75km) and Torpa vardcentral (medical centre, 1.9km).
Transport
Nearest airport: TrollhattanâVanersborg Airport (regional, 7.45km) and Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport (international, 79.3km).
Nearest highway: The port has direct access to national road E45 which runs N to Torsby and S to Gothenburg.
Nearest railway: Vanersborg (0.5km)
Nearest public transportation: Bus routes throughout Vanersborg.
Working hours
0700-1600hrs Mon-Fri.
About Vanersborg
updated Aug 2023Where it is
Situated at the southernmost end of Lake Vanern (Sweden's largest lake) near the entrance to the Trollhatte Canal.
The port
Vanersborg is strategically located by the Trollhatte Canal as it meets Lake Vanern. The location of the port allows vessels to traverse from the sea of Kattegat, at Gothenburg, up the Gota alv river (50nm) to the port. The port has a focus on bulk cargo.
Questions about Vanersborg
Where does the pilot board at Vanersborg?
The pilot boards at Pilot boarding place, 58°23.6′N 012°19.1′E.
What time zone is Vanersborg in?
Local time at Vanersborg 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 Vanersborg?
The deepest berth listed is at General Cargo Terminal: 5.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Vanersborg?
1000.
Which load line zone is Vanersborg 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 Vanersborg?
Port State Control at Vanersborg: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Vanersborg?
The UN/LOCODE of Vanersborg is SEVAN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Vanersborg 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.