Ventspils

Size limits

LOA 277.17m, draught 15.0m, beam 50.0m, 166,164DWT.

Water density

1002-1004.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for vessels over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of 100m or less in length. Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Nil.

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

Approach

There are 2 underwater cable zones on the Venta River, between the town embankment and Berth No 12 and between Berths No 5 and 17. It is forbidden to drop anchor in the cable zones. At the berths, in the cable zones, there are corresponding visible warning signs.

Port limits

The port limits are bounded by the Outer Roadstead, the lines connecting points with the following coordinates:

57°20.9'N 021°29.3'E

57°25.4'N 021°22.6'E

57°32.3'N 021°30.3'E

57°26.3'N 021°36.0'E;

The Outer Harbour and the River Venta as far as the bridge.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The radar service is carried out throughout 24 hours, only 1 vessel can have radar service simultaneously. Applications for radar station service shall be submitted 30 minutes in advance.

The use of the shore based radar station is compulsory notwithstanding the weather conditions if the vessel's length exceeds 150m, if the vessel exceeds 12,000DWT or if the vessel's draught exceeds 11.5m and all vessels carrying dangerous cargo (oil, chemical or gas).

The VTS informs the master of the beginning and end of the radar assisted pilotage. Information given to the master is of an advisory nature. The radar assisted pilotage does not release the master from responsibility for the vessel's command. The exchange of information between vessels and the VTS is recorded and preserved for 72 hours after vessel's departure.

All vessels under 70m in length and draught under 4.0m (excluding tankers with liquefied gas or chemicals cargoes) shall observe the following:

Give way to all vessels moving along the channel;

Entering or leaving the port is allowed only through the N and S sectors.

The N sector borders on the coastline and the lines connecting the following points: 57°24.8'N 021°31.2'E and 57°29.2'N 021°34.1'E.

The S sector borders on the coastline and the line connecting the following points: 57°24.7'N 021°31.1'E and 57°25.8'N 021°23.4'E.

Anchorages

Depths in the anchorage areas vary between 9.0-34.0m. The bottom is stone and sand. Strong W'ly winds can make the anchorages unsafe and vessels are advised to drift while awaiting entry to port or to proceed to more sheltered areas in the vicinity of Kolkasrags Point or Gotland.

Anchorage is prohibited in the inner roads.

Restrictions

Ice: During intensive drifting of ice the VTS may prohibit any movement of vessels in the port water area.

LPG/Chemical vessels: While liquefied gas and chemical carriers are entering or leaving the port, movement of other vessels in the Outer Harbour and in the channel is prohibited.

Length restrictions: Tankers carrying gas and chemicals, dry cargo vessels with length not exceeding 185m and petroleum tankers with the length not exceeding 235m, are permitted to enter and leave the port if wind is not exceeding 27kts and visibility not less than 2nm.

Tankers carrying gas and chemicals, dry cargo vessels with the length exceeding 185m, petroleum tankers with the length exceeding 235m are permitted to enter and leave the port if the wind is not exceeding 15kts and visibility not less than 2nm.

Movement of other vessels in the port water area is stopped if wind exceeds 27kts and visibility is less than 0.5nm.

There may be deviations from these limitations depending on wind direction, current speed and visibility. The final decision regarding vessel traffic is taken by the harbour master or authorised person.

Night restrictions: At night, vessel movements are limited by size as follows:

Vessels bound for the bunkering berth should not exceed 155m in length and draught 7.6m.

Vessels bound for Quay No 4 should not exceed 185m in length and draught 9.5m.

Speed: Speed on entering the harbour is restricted to 5kts. Between Quay No 7 and the VI Lenina Bridge it is restricted to 3kts.

Bridge restrictions: Vessels with max windage height 7.0m, beam 20.0m and draught 5.0m permitted to pass under the Venta River Bridge.

Tugs

Compulsory for vessels exceeding LOA 90m, there are 7 tugs stationed in the harbour.

The necessity and number of tugs for entering and leaving the port or shifting is determined by the master with pilot's agreement in accordance with the weather conditions and other factors.

Assistance of at least 1 tug is compulsory for tankers and vessels with dangerous cargoes (Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 according to the IMDG code) and exceeding LOA 70m. Assistance of at least two tugs is compulsory for vessels exceeding LOA 150m, 12,000DWT.

Tankers and vessels of less than LOA 150m carrying dangerous cargo (class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 according to IMDG code) and equipped with bow thrusters shall use one tug (on "stand-by" principle). Dry cargo vessels equipped with bow thrusters are assisted by a variable number of tugs (if any) according to standard of seamanship, weather conditions or other factors

Mooring

When a vessel is performing mooring operations, berth operator's representative responsible for readiness of a vessel shall be present and indicate the exact place of mooring. The number of mooring lines and their deployment is decided by the vessel's Master in agreement with the pilot. Vessels with deadweight exceeding 5,000t shall not put more than two mooring lines on the same bollard.

During mooring and unmooring of vessels, movement of cranes and rail cars, as well as other works at the quay, are prohibited. Unauthorised persons are not allowed to be present in vessel approach area of the quay.

Simultaneous mooring and unmooring of vessels at two berths next to each other is prohibited.

Shifting of vessels from one berth to another or to the outer road is permitted only in presence onboard of the master or chief mate. In emergencies, there may be deviations from this rule. These requirements do not apply to auxiliary fleet and bunkering vessels.

If the vessel exceed LOA120m and distance exceeds 100m, shifting moorings is performed under assistance of the pilot and tug.

Mooring of vessels side-by-side is allowed only with permission of harbour master.

Vessels must have the number of crew members sufficient to perform repeated mooring. Tankers and dry bulk cargo vessels carrying dangerous cargo (classes 1, 4, 7 according to IMDG code) must always be ready to leave port.

Charts and publications

BA 2716, 2277, 8100. Soviet 28033, 28039. Admiralty Pilot NP19, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels departing should inform the Harbour Master at least 24 hours in advance and confirmation should be sent 2 hours prior to departure.

Communications

VHF: Port Control: Ch 09, 16, 30.

Tel: +371 6362 2669

Harbour Office: Tel: +371 6362 3324

Email: [email protected]

Pilots: Ch 16, 09, 14.

Tel: +371 6362 1040

VTS: Ch 09, 16, 67.

Tel: +371 63621040.

Fax: +371 6362 3176

Tugs: Ch 09, 33, callsign "Ventspils Radio 6"

Tel: +371 6366 8801

Email: [email protected]

Notice of readiness

Six copies of the NOR are required.

Health

Sanitary surveillance in the port is carried out by the sanitary quarantine authorities. All persons and legal entities active in the port shall comply with the demands of these authorities.

In the event of insanitary conditions or ill crew members or passengers onboard, the master of the vessel shall inform the sanitary quarantine authorities via the agent at least 12 hours prior to arrival.

In the event of the expected arrival of a vessel with insanitary, dangerous or poisonous cargo onboard, the vessel's agent shall inform the sanitary quarantine authorities and the Baltic Sea Environment Protection inspection, no later than 12 hours prior to entering the port.

All vessels must have a valid Ship Sanitation Control Certificate.

Customs and immigration

It is prohibited, without customs inspection, to take in or out of these territories, export or import cargoes, goods or other items not having been declared for moving from one customs enforcement area of the Republic of Latvia to another.

Onboard all floating craft there shall be Crew and Passenger Lists and every person shall have an identity document (Sailor's Registration Book or Passport).

Crew members who do not have a Sailor's Registration Book or Passport with visas are prohibited from leaving the vessel.

Customs, immigration and sanitary authorities are informed by the agent regarding vessels arrival, departure and shifting.

Notices and regulations

The "Ventspils Free Port Rules" apply.

When proceeding along the fairway the max speed is 5kts.

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: Ship and Port Security Inspectorate, Maritime Administration of Latvia.

Address: Trijadibas Str 5, Riga LV-1048, Latvia.

Tel: +371 706 2129.

Fax: +371 786 0082.

Mob: +371 659 6792

Website: http://www.maritimeadministration.lv

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

Repairs

Small deck and engine repairs are available. Diving inspections can be carried out.

Dry docks

Available up to 1,000t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available from the oil jetties or by lighter.

Stores: Available with advance notice.

Medical

Facilities available in the town.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Riga, 190km.

Nearest railway: Ventspils.

Venspils is part of the East-West railway corridor, which is integrated in the common Eurasian transport system. It connects Europe and the regions of Asia with the Baltic Sea ports, and is one of the busiest traffic connections in the Baltic States.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Ventspils is situated at the mouth of the Venta River, in the eastern Baltic Sea.

The port

The port is ice free and therefore has all year navigation. The water level is effected chiefly by the wind. The fairway is dredged regularly to negate the effects of sand moved by strong gales.

The port area has approximately 2450 ha consists of an outer harbour protected by moles containing the oil terminals, and the commercial harbour, situated along the banks of the river. The total length of available cargo berths is 5,767m, with 3,205m for dry cargo and 2,562m for oil and chemical berths.

The principal cargoes handled are crude oil, oil products, liquefied chemicals, fertilisers, metal, forest and fish products, coal, containers and Ro-Ro cargoes.

Traffic

Approx 8,200,000t of cargo, 1,400 vessels and 210,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Ventspils?

Pilotage is available throughout 24 hours and compulsory for vessels entering and leaving the port or shifting from one berth to another, for all vessels exceeding 70m in length and for all tankers with liquefied gas or chemical cargoes notwithstanding their length.

What time zone is Ventspils in?

Local time at Ventspils 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 Ventspils?

The deepest berth listed is at Baltic Coal Terminal: 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ventspils?

1002-1004.

Which load line zone is Ventspils in?

Summer Zone for vessels over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of 100m or less in length.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ventspils?

Port State Control at Ventspils: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ventspils?

The UN/LOCODE of Ventspils is LVVNT.

What crews who called at Ventspils 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 Ventspils →