Vopnafjordur

Size limits

Draught 7.5m.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone I, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.

Tides

The mean neap range is about 0.6m, meanwhile the mean spring range is about 1.3m.

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

Approach

The approach from the anchorage to the S part of the harbour is indicated by the alignment on a bearing of 360° of a pair of leading lights; the front stands on the shore 230m ENE of Vopnafjordur Church, with the rear 100m N of it.

The first leg of the approach to the N part of the harbour from S is indicated by the alignment, on a bearing of 342°, of two light beacons (red triangular topmarks on posts) standing 200m NW of Thufukambur. This leads between Mikkelsensbodhi and Krossvikurlending on the W and Hukkasker on the E.

The second leg of the approach, from S of Midholmi, is indicated by the alignment on a bearing of 305° of a pair of light beacons (posts) at the N end of the harbour.

Several other channels give access to the harbour from N, but they can only be used by small craft with local knowledge.

Anchorages

There are no good anchorages in Vopnafjordur, but in fair weather and with offshore winds temporary anchorage may be obtained, with local knowledge, in the following positions:

Off Bodhvarsdalur, on the S shore 6nm WSW of Svartnes.

In Ljosalandsvik, a bay on the N side of Fuglanes, where the bottom is rock and the holding ground consequently bad.

In Nypsfjordhur, inside either entrance point, also with a rocky bottom and bad holding ground.

Off Sandvik, at the head of the fjord, S and SSE of the trading station, where the depths decrease gradually shorewards.

Directions for anchorage: Approaching from NE, steer 202° with the E side of Leidharholmi bearing 022° astern, in line with Tafla, a hummock 0.75nm within Kolbeinstangi. This leads ESE of Mikkelsensbodhi. The approach to the anchorage is indicated by the alignment, on a bearing of 323°, of two leading light beacons standing on the mainland S of the harbour; the front beacon stands 220m SSW of Vopnafjordhur church, with the rear beacon 42m NW of it. This leads SW of the spit extending SSW from Skipholmi and anchorage may be obtained on this line in approx 13m with Fridharsker bearing approx 017° and in line with Thufukambur, a hummock on the coast 700m further NNE. Depths decrease rapidly W of this position and close NW is a detached 5.4m patch. Large vessels should anchor further out in depths of approx 18m.

At night the anchorage lies in a white sector of Kolbeinstangi Light between the bearings of 028° and 030°.

Restrictions

Local magnetic anomaly: The magnetic compass is very unreliable in Vopnafjordhur, especially off the S shore where a magnetic anomaly of as much as 20° has been observed approx 4nm W of Kollumuli.

Charts and publications

BA 2900. Admiralty Pilot NP11, NP286 (2).

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: Icelandic Maritime Administration.

Position: Project Manager, Ship and Port Facility Security.

Address: PO Box 120, Vesturvor 2, IS-202 Kopavogur, Iceland.

Tel: +354 560 0000.

Fax: +354 560 0060.

Mob: +354 893 4793

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.sigling.is

Port Security Information:

Person responsible for Port Security: Sigurdur Gretarsson (Head, Harbour Division).

Tel: +354 560 0000.

Email: [email protected]

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunker: Very small supplies of coal and fuel oil usually available.

Medical

There is a small hospital and a doctor resides in the station.

Transport

Nearest airport: Vopnafjörður Airport, 4.7km.

Where it is

Vopnafjordur is located on the E coast of Iceland.

The port

The port is a trading station. The harbour is subject to occasional incursions of polar ice.

The port handles break bulk cargo, reefer, seafood and CPP.

What are the pilot arrangements at Vopnafjordur?

Pilotage is available.

What time zone is Vopnafjordur in?

Local time at Vopnafjordur is UTC+0. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Vopnafjordur?

The deepest berth listed is at Vopnafjordur Terminal: 7.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Vopnafjordur in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone I, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.

Who carries out Port State Control at Vopnafjordur?

Port State Control at Vopnafjordur: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Vopnafjordur?

The UN/LOCODE of Vopnafjordur is ISVPN.

What crews who called at Vopnafjordur 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 Vopnafjordur →